Podcasts about ascents

Psalm 131 Explained — What a Soul at Rest in God Looks Like Show: Servants of Grace Podcast Series: Walking Through the Psalms Host: Dave Jenkins Show Summary In this episode of the Servants of Grace podcast, Dave Jenkins continues the Walking Through the Psalms series with a verse-by-verse look at Psalm 131—one of the Songs of Ascents and one of the clearest portraits in Scripture of spiritual maturity. After the deep cry of repentance and hope in Psalm 130, Psalm 131 brings us into stillness: humility before God, restraint of heart and mind, and settled trust in the Lord. Audio Video Call to Action If this episode encouraged you, please consider sharing it and leaving a rating or review. For more from our Psalms series visit here or at our YouTube.

Psalm 130: Out of the Depths—Forgiveness, Waiting, and Hope Show Summary In this episode of Walking Through the Psalms, Dave Jenkins walks through Psalm 130, a Song of Ascents that meets us in the depths of guilt and spiritual distress and leads us to the Lord's forgiveness, steadfast love, and abundant redemption. Psalm 130 teaches us to cry out honestly, confess without excuses, wait on the Lord by faith, and hope in His redeeming grace. Audio Player Video Player Call to Action If this episode helped you, please consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving a review. It helps others find faithful, biblical teaching. For more from our Psalm series please visit here or at our YouTube.

Psalm 129: Afflicted, Not Destroyed — God's Preserving Grace in Suffering Show: Walking Through the Psalms (Servants of Grace Podcast) | Speaker: Dave Jenkins | Passage: Psalm 129 | Date: Friday, February 6, 2026 Show Summary Psalm 129 reminds us that the journey of God's people is not only marked by blessing, but also by affliction. As a Song of Ascents, this psalm was sung by Israel on the road to Jerusalem bearing witness to generations of suffering, endurance, and the Lord's preserving grace. In this episode of Walking Through the Psalms, Dave Jenkins teaches that faithfulness to God does not shield believers from hardship, but it does guarantee a secure outcome. God's people may be struck down, but they are never destroyed, because the Lord is righteous, His justice is sure, and His sustaining grace holds His people fast. Ultimately, Psalm 129 points us to Jesus Christ—afflicted, rejected, and crucified yet victorious in His resurrection. Because Christ lives, suffering does not have the final word, and opposition cannot undo the promises of God. Listen Watch Call to Action If this episode encouraged you, please consider sharing it and leaving a review. It helps others find trustworthy biblical teaching. Next episode: We'll continue our journey through the Songs of Ascents by looking at Psalm 130.  For more from our Psalm series visit here or at our YouTube. 

Our Eyes Look to the Lord Our God A Song of Ascents. 123 To you I lift up my eyes,    O you who are enthroned in the heavens!2 Behold, as the eyes of servants    look to the hand of their master,as the eyes of a maidservant    to the hand of her mistress,so our eyes look to the Lord our God,    till he has mercy upon us. 3 Have mercy […]

After being literally run over by a school bus in Atlanta, climber Taylor Martin rebuilt her life through big mountain pursuits and solo aid climbing. This episode dives deep into Taylor's five new Yosemite first ascents established in a single season, including several big and technical aid routes in Yosemite. We explore her 70-hour Hardrock 100 ski traverse with only one hour of sleep, advanced aid climbing techniques like back-looping and daisy soloing, and the psychological toll of spending days alone on big walls. Taylor opens up about navigating trans identity in competitive climbing and record-keeping, the traumatic recovery from devastating injuries, and why partnerships rank above performance despite climbing mostly solo. Topics include: A3/A4 aid climbing, traumatic brain injury recovery, solo endurance objectives, new route development in Yosemite, mental challenges of solitary big wall pushes, modern speed climbing ethics, and finding meaning beyond grades in mountain sports.Watch the full episode on Youtube---Thanks to our sponsors!LIVSN DesignsCheckout their Ecotrek Trail Pants HereUse Code "TCM15" At Checkout for an extra 15% OFF Your OrderGet Access to Exclusive Episodes, Unlock Ad-Free Podcast, & MORE!---ResourcesTaylor's IGYoutube Video of HummingbirdMust Watch Video on Taylor's History

Let Us Go to the House of the Lord A Song of Ascents. Of David. 122 I was glad when they said to me,    “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”2 Our feet have been standing    within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem—built as a city    that is bound firmly together,4 to which the tribes go up,    the tribes of the Lord,as was decreed for[a] Israel,    to give thanks to […]

Lee starts the Psalms of Ascents

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved and will endure forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forevermore. Evil people will not always rule the land the Lord gave to those who do right. If they did, those who do right might do what is evil (Psalm 125:1-3). Jerusalem was a walled city on the top of a mountain surrounded by other mountains. Standing on top of those walls, looking out at those mountains, an Israelite could feel secure. From those walls the psalmist declares: like the mountains surrounding this city, so the Lord surrounds His people. Even today, many Christians have 'holy spaces'—places and/or times where they regularly encounter God. There we look to our Lord to surround us. The Songs of the Ascents remind us that holy spaces are an important part of our faith—they provide focal points for our relationship with God. They aren't necessary, but they are helpful. In his covenant with Israel, God promised to be their God and called them to follow His ways. If they reject His ways, they cannot count on His protection. He will be against them if they persist in rebellion. How do we use this psalm to strengthen our own faith? One way is to consider Jesus' beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Meek does not refer to someone who gets walked over, but rather, to someone who has trained to do what is right. They do it even when it is difficult. They are the righteous, those who trust in the Lord and are not shaken. Such folks will inherit the earth, a promise that will be completely fulfilled with Christ's return. This psalm concerns the refugees who came back from Babylon and struggled to establish a righteous Israelite society in the land. They were opposed by various stronger nations, and by many fellow Israelites who gave up on righteous living to pursue dishonest gain. The righteous were often left in the economic dust of these two groups. They wondered where God's protection for them was. It was tempting to abandon their vision of an obedient nation. 'Don't give up,' says the psalmist, 'evil folks will not endure. In the end, the righteous will dwell securely in the land.' God will see to it. As they gathered in Jerusalem, the holy city, and worshipped together at the temple, some measure of confidence was restored. In our holy spaces, we call on God to surround us like the mountains and keep us safe from the wicked ones and those who turn aside to crookedness. May we all find our 'holy spaces' in which we gain new strength for the days of our journeys. Life in God's church is not much different from that of Israel of old. It is not easy to live righteously before God, to love him and neighbour. May this psalm fire our imaginations to hear with new ears Jesus' solemn assurance, "In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world" (John 16:33). May this psalm encourage us to live faithfully before him in the year 2026. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: "May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

22-year-old Zion crusher Connor Baty on first ascents, rope soloing the Triple Wall in 12 hours, and why he climbs without sponsors. Kora FA, Towers of the Virgin, and living the unsponsored dream.Today's guest is 22-year-old silent crusher from Zion, Connor Baty. Connor has been climbing since he was 8 years old, with key early development as a trad climber at Garden of the Gods in Colorado—a notoriously chossy area with soft, loose sandstone. Since then he quickly progressed through the grades, leveling out around the 5.13 range. He then took that knowledge and merged it with his true passion: adventure. Connor has been quietly building a reputation as a cutting-edge first ascensionist and endurance linkup climber. Connor was the partner to our previous guest James Barrow for the Complete Tower of the Virgin Traverse. They also established a new 5.12+ multipitch route in Zion, called Kora. Connor has climbed Time Wave Zero down in Potrero car to car in 5 hours and most recently he's claimed the rope solo speed record of the Zion Triple Wall—linking Touchstone, Moonlight Buttress, and Prodigal Son in a blistering 12 hours. Needless to say Connor is a crusher.He could easily seek out sponsorships at the level he is climbing. But as we learn in our conversation, Connor has zero interest in self-promotion. For him it's all about personal progress, adventure, and living the life he has now to the fullest. He even has groundbreaking pursuits outside of climbing and is currently attempting to navigate the Colorado River from source to sea. What I found most interesting about our conversation is how well-spoken, composed, and level-headed Connor is as a human and a climber. Back when I was 22 I could not say the same thing about myself. I really felt the stoke and energy from Connor in our conversation and I'm happy to be sharing it with you now.Watch the full episode on Youtube---Thanks to our sponsors!LIVSN DesignsCheckout their Ecotrek Trail Pants HereUse Code "TCM15" At Checkout for an extra 15% OFF Your OrderHot Chillys Performance Base LayersCheckout their Micro Elite Chamois Base Layer Systems HereUse Code "TCM15" At Checkout for 15% OFF Your OrderGet Access to Exclusive Episodes, Unlock Ad-Free Podcast, & MORE!---ResourcesConor's IG

Psalm 123: Lifting Our Eyes to God for Mercy Series: Walking Through the Psalms Host: Dave Jenkins Date: December 26, 2025 Show Summary Psalm 123 is a prayer for weary believers who feel worn down, mocked, or burdened by life. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explores how this Song of Ascents calls God's people to lift their eyes to the enthroned Lord, wait dependently for His mercy, and trust Him amid contempt and opposition. This psalm teaches us that the Christian life is lived not by self-sufficiency, but by humble dependence on the mercy of God—especially when trials press in and strength runs low. Audio Player Video Player Key Scripture Psalm 123 Episode Notes Looking Up to the Enthroned King (Psalm 123:1) Waiting Dependently for Mercy (Psalm 123:2) Crying Out Under Contempt (Psalm 123:3–4) Key Themes God is enthroned in heaven and rules over all things. Believers are called to depend entirely on God's mercy. Waiting on God is active faithfulness, not inactivity. God's people often endure scorn and opposition in the world. Mercy is God's loving response to our weakness. Takeaways Toward God: Lift your eyes to the Lord daily and depend on His mercy. Toward Yourself: Embrace dependence instead of self-sufficiency; remember your limitations. Toward Others: Show mercy to the weary and discouraged. Toward the World: Expect contempt, but respond with trust and steadfastness—not fear. Christ-Centered Focus Psalm 123 finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus endured scorn and contempt, yet trusted the Father and obeyed perfectly. At the cross, mercy descended not in judgment upon us, but in grace through Christ. Because of Jesus, we lift our eyes with confidence, knowing God's throne is a throne of grace. Call to Action If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing on YouTube, sharing the episode, and leaving a review. These small actions help more people find trusted biblical teaching. For more from our Psalm series please visit our page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.

What's the ultimate goal of the Christian life? Psalm 134 offers a simple invitation: “Come, bless the LORD… May the LORD bless you.”As the closing song in the Songs of Ascents, this short psalm calls us to worship God with all we are—day and night, with steady hearts and lifted hands. And it reminds us that praise is never one-sided: the God who made heaven and earth delights to bless His people. What might change if blessing the Lord became the rhythm of your everyday life?More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

What is “good and pleasant” to you? For David it was God's people living together in unity. Has that been your experience in church, or maybe something you've longed for but not found? Psalm 133 paints a vivid picture of community as a gift from God, yet we know that getting along isn't easy. Still, it's essential for followers of Jesus, and the stakes are high. What if it changes everything?More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Psalm 120, Peace in a World of LiesServants of Grace Podcast  |  Walking Through the Psalmsby Dave Jenkins on Friday, December 5, 2025Episode SummaryPsalm 120 begins the Songs of Ascents with a cry from a believer living in a world filled with lies, hostility, and spiritual tension. Before the ascent toward Zion begins, the psalmist looks honestly at where he is surrounded by deceitful tongues and dwelling among those who hate peace.In this sermon, Dave Jenkins walks through Psalm 120 to show that the journey of faith does not begin with strength or triumph, but with distress, honesty, and a desperate plea for deliverance. We see how the Lord hears the cries of His people, sustains them in a deceitful culture, and calls them to be peacemakers while living as pilgrims in a hostile world.Listen to the EpisodeWatch the EpisodeStay ConnectedIf this message from Psalm 120 encouraged you, please consider sharing it with a friend, your small group,or your church family.Subscribe to the Servants of Grace Podcast on your favorite platform, and join us as we continueWalking Through the Psalms.

Life involves a lot of waiting, and Psalm 132 shows why God can be trusted in every season. This message walks through the history behind the psalm—from David's desire to build a house for God, to the ark being captured and brought home, to God's promise of a King who would reign forever. All of it leads to Jesus, the true Son of David, and points ahead to the day He will return just as Scripture says.If you need a reminder of God's steady faithfulness, this psalm offers it. It calls us to stay close to Christ, share Him with others, and live with hope as we look for His return.More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Guest Pastor, Drew Witt, walks through Psalm 131 as a psalm of quiet trust. He shows how it cuts away selfish ambition, exposes the things we use to soothe a restless heart, and leads us toward steady hope in the Lord. With Luke 14, Luke 12, and Philippians 2, he explains the difference between ambition and godly aspiration and points us to Jesus, who chose the lower place for us.The message closes with two simple prayers—the Jesus Prayer and the Litany of Humility—to help shape daily dependence on Christ.More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Phil Smith sharing at Grace on November 23, 2025

The longest of the Psalms of Ascents includes themes of dynasty (David's royal line) and dwelling (God's presence with his people), which again emerge center stage in Psalm 132. Both of these themes again remind us that God is FAITHFUL and worthy of our worship and whole-hearted devotion. Devotionables #868 - Crescendo of the Ascents Psalm 132 The Psalms Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

Psalm 121-122. We conclude our study of the Songs of Ascents in the Psalms. In this sermon, Evangelists Jacob Holman and Gavin Williams examine how these two psalms convey the joy and peace that can be found through a full understanding of God and His people.

Psalm 130 gives a clear path for anyone who feels weighed down: cry out to the Lord, come in humility, trust His forgiveness, and wait on His word. In this sermon, Pastor Eric Kuykendall shows how the psalmist moves from despair to hope through the Lord's steady love and full redemption.More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Come, Bless the Lord A Song of Ascents. 134 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,    who stand by night in the house of the Lord!2 Lift up your hands to the holy place    and bless the Lord! 3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,    he who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 134, ESV)

Psalm 129 is a song for people who feel beaten down but not abandoned. Pastor Eric walks through this psalm and 2 Corinthians 4 to show how God's people can be honest about deep hurt, pray for justice without taking revenge, and lean on the gospel power at work in fragile “jars of clay.”Listen and be reminded that in Christ you may be down, but you are not out.More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Phil Smith sharing at Grace on November 9, 2025

Psalm 128 calls the one who fears the Lord and walks in His ways “blessed” — literally, happy. In this message, Guest Pastor Drew Witt shows how joy grows when we hold God in awe, obey what Jesus says, and live with the grain of how He made the world.Drawing on Psalm 128, the life of Jesus, stories from the global church, and even modern medical research on forgiveness, Drew contrasts a life of resentment and resistance with a life built on the rock of Christ's love.Listen and consider: Where do you need to fear the Lord and walk in His ways so that joy can grow there?More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Phil Smith sharing at Grace on November 2, 2025

Psalm 127 shows why life with God is fruitful and life without Him is frustrating. Pastor Eric teaches how the Lord builds, guards, and gives rest—and how this shapes our work, sleep, and parenting.Listen and learn more at trinitybible.com

Ignatowitsch, Julian www.deutschlandfunk.de, Kultur heute

Psalm 126 reveals how God turns tears into joy. Pastor Eric shows that remembering God's past restoring work brings gladness in the present and hope for the future. Whether His renewal comes suddenly like streams in the desert or slowly through seasons of sowing and reaping, we can trust His timing and rejoice in His faithfulness.Listen and be reminded that joy always follows the restoring hand of God.More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Phil Smith sharing at Grace on October 19, 2025

Psalm 125 shows where real stability comes from. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion—unmoved and surrounded. Pastor Eric explores how God protects His people, restrains wickedness, and does what is right, calling us to live righteously with a steady trust in Christ.Listen and learn how to trade a restless, shifting life for a secure one in Him.More from Trinity Bible Church: https://trinitybible.com

Lisa Smith sharing at Grace on October 12, 2025

When the world feels overwhelming, Psalm 124 reminds us that our help comes from the Lord Himself.Taught by Guest Pastor and TBC Elder John Morrison, this message traces God's rescue, His presence with His people, and the Christian hope that outlasts death.Listen & learn more: https://trinitybible.com

When life feels like more than you can handle, Psalm 123 teaches us where to look, how to look, and why to keep looking to the Lord until His mercy comes. Pastor Eric Kuykendall unpacks this short but powerful psalm and shows how lifting our eyes to the One enthroned in heaven changes everything.Scriptures: Psalm 123; Matthew 14:30; Isaiah 55:9; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Chronicles 20:12; 2 Corinthians 1:8–9; Titus 3:3–7Learn more at https://trinitybible.com

Message from Doug Kempton on September 28, 2025

Psalm 122 is a song of joy—a rallying cry to worship with God's people. Pastor Eric walks through David's psalm to show why gathering matters, how worship unites us, and why praying for peace within the church is essential.Key themes: the glad invitation (“Let us go”), the arrival in God's house, unity under one Lord, worship that reshapes our feelings, and speaking “Peace be within you” to one another.If you're new, we'd love to connect: https://trinitybible.comFollow Us OnlineInstagram – @trinity_bibleFacebook – @trinitybiblewillowparkTikTok – @trinitybiblechurchWebsite – https://trinitybible.com

Message from Doug Kempton on September 21, 2025

Message from Doug Kempton on September 21, 2025

When headlines shake us, Psalm 121 anchors us. Pastor Eric walks through this Song of Ascents to show where real help comes from—not from the hills, but from the Lord who made them. He keeps His people without sleeping, guards them day and night, and finishes the good work He starts.Scripture: Psalm 121; Ephesians 5:16; Acts 7–8; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 1 Kings 18; Psalm 23; Isaiah 43:1–2; Romans 8:31–39; Philippians 1:6; Revelation 5Series: Songs of AscentsBottom Line: The Lord is your help and your keeper—today and forever.

Message from Kevin Dupree on September 14, 2025

Psalm 120 opens the Songs of Ascents—a playlist for God's people on their journey to Jerusalem. This first song doesn't begin with joy but with honesty: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me.”In this message, Pastor Eric Kuykendall reminds us:Calling out to God in distress is biblical.Expecting God to hear and answer is biblical.Lies and hostility surround us, but God's truth and peace remain.As we walk through the Songs of Ascents together, Psalm 120 sets the tone: worship isn't about pretending everything is fine—it's about bringing our real selves before God and trusting Him.

Message from Nathan Peshl on September 7, 2025

This Sunday, we continued our journey through the Song of Ascents. We were reminded that in Psalm 124 that if the Lord had not been on our side, we would have been swallowed up by life's storms. These ancient “Songs of Ascent” were survival songs—words sung by God's people as they journeyed step by step toward His presence. They teach us something powerful: in every situation we face, we have a choice. We can descend into blame, pride, and entitlement—or we can ascend toward humility, gratitude, and faith. The songs we sing with our lives matter. Gratitude, thankfulness, and humility in the midst of suffering are what set followers of Jesus apart from the world.We live in a culture that when things get hard or difficult it is working to move you towards blame and victimhood, but God calls us to fight for a different algorithm—a way of living shaped by responsibility, gratitude, and dependence on Him. When we ascend, we discover God's presence in the silence, His protection in the storm, and His power in our weakness. Let's be a people who keep moving toward Him, singing songs of faith together as we go. As Psalm 124 closes, may this be our declaration: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”For more info, you can go to our website, check us out on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. If you would like to support STUDIO financially, you can do so here.Have a great week!

Message from Jon Jackson on August 31, 2025

Message from Jordan Crawford on August 24, 2025

Message from Doug Kempton on August 17, 2025

Today, we're doing something a little different. For the first time ever, I'm releasing a TCM Legacy Episode—diving back into one of the show's earliest conversations, this one with Joshua Reinig.It's been over three years since this episode first aired, and a lot has changed since then. For some of you, you'll hear a familiar voice—my previous co-host, Max Carrier. But the biggest changes are in Josh's own life, and those changes are exactly why I'm bringing you this newly remastered version of our conversation.I first met Josh over a decade ago, during my very first year of climbing, when he invited me—a complete gumby—out to one of his first ascent projects. Whether he realized it or not, that simple act of kindness shaped me as a climber, and I'm still grateful for it today. I also know I'm not the only one he's impacted in that way.Since then, Josh and I have become close friends, following each other's life stories closely. Over the course of his climbing career, Josh has put up more than 2,000 first ascents and currently sits in the top 20 Mountain Project contributors. His routes often focus on safe, moderate climbing that everyone can enjoy. He's an AMGA apprentice rock and alpine guide with over 6,000 guided trips under his belt. It's safe to say he's dedicated a huge portion of his life to serving the climbing community.One of the main reasons for revisiting this conversation is some exciting news—Josh has just published the most comprehensive guidebook to the Alabama Hills climbing area. This 300-page book features over 700 routes, more than 100 of which are his own first ascents. It's packed with detailed route descriptions, maps, and photos, the product of more than five years of work and documentation. With Alabama Hills now federally recognized as a scenic wildlife area, Josh also includes important guidance on how we can all respect and preserve this fragile place.For Josh, this guidebook is just another extension of what he's always done—sharing climbing with others. He gives huge thanks to Marty and Sharon for mentoring him through the process, and to his wife, Melissa, who played a major role in the documentation and creative work.When I first heard about the guidebook, I offered to have Josh back on the show in person. But unfortunately, Josh has recently been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The details of his prognosis are still unfolding, but he faces a difficult road ahead—one that may include surgery, chemo, and all the challenges that come with fighting cancer. The location of the cancer has already made speaking difficult, so joining me for a new conversation just wasn't possible.As someone who has spent his life supporting the climbing community, Josh now needs our support. The best way to help is to purchase his Alabama Hills guidebook—link in the show notes. You can also donate directly via his GoFundMe, like I have. And if nothing else, please take a moment to send Josh your thoughts, prayers, or positive energy during this time.----HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW & GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE EPISODES!  For a little as $5/mo!----Don't forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!---ResourcesBuy The Alabama Hills GuidebookSupport Joshua on his Go Fund Me PageJoshua Reinig's Mountain Project Profile

Message from Josh Muñoz on August 10, 2025

Psalm 131 ESV I Have Calmed and Quieted My SoulA Song of Ascents. Of David.131 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;    my eyes are not raised too high;I do not occupy myself with things    too great and too marvelous for me.2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,    like a weaned child with its mother;    like a weaned child is my soul within me.3 O Israel, hope in the Lord    from this time forth and forevermore.For more information about Redeemer Church Lubbock visit our website at redeemerlubbock.org.

Message from Wayne Stapleton on August 3, 2025

This Song of Ascents uses imagery from Israel's landscape to reassure everyone who trusts in the LORD that they are safe and secure. The source of this safety and security is the LORD Himself, who keeps and surrounds His people. These truths should serve as a source of great comfort and encouragement to believers facing trials because of the wickedness of others.