Journey to Joy: The Psalms of Ascent

by Josh Moody

“True happiness comes from within.” At least that’s what our culture tells us while beating the drum of self-esteem as the route to real joy. But what if this is wrong? What if true joy comes not from within , but from without ? What if it comes from God himself? Embedded in the Bible is a little-known guidebook to the lasting joy we long the Psalms of Ascent―a set of 15 Psalms that share honestly about the heights and the depths of life while celebrating the faithfulness of God. Helping us to engage and explore Psalms 120–134, pastor Josh Moody offers practical counsel, perceptive insights, and personal experience as a fellow pilgrim on the joy-filled journey to the father heart of God.

Genres: Theology, Old Testament, Devotional, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

Josh Moody (PhD, University of Cambridge) serves as the senior pastor of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and president of God Centered Life Ministries. He was previously a fellow at Yale University. Josh and his wife have four children.

Reviews

[Alan Rennê]

Excelente exposição dos Salmos de Romagem. Linguagem fácil e bem devocional, com ótimas aplicações.

[Nate Claiborne]

Helpful mini-commentary on the Psalms of Ascent. Very devotional-applicational and an easy read.

[Tony Villatoro]

In devotional form, the author divides the 15 Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-134) into 10 pages per psalm and gives a brief exegetical approach to the psalm. All of the chapters, except for one that read like a commentary, I was able to read as a devotional. Not meant to be a reference book, I still was able to learn about the Ascent and the journey aspect of these psalms. Here are a few quotes I highlighted:

There is a natural tendency for all of us to glance skyward when we need assistance. We look up for help. -32

You cannot love the people of God if you are not loving any particular people of God. -43

Joy is about being restored, that is, brought back to who you were designed to be. -79

When we are tempted to think that God's plans might have failed, we can check whether our confidence is appropriately or inappropriately located. -153

Unity, which requires some compromise of our personal preferences, is a pleasure greater than the pleasure of self-seeking. -159

The end of the journey with God is a place of unmitigated goodness. There is no disappointment here, not a whiff, not a particle, not a nano-miniscule moment of disappointment. -168

God's blessing is God and enjoyment of Him. -173

[The Psalms of Ascent] start low, leaving on their journey with trepidation; and they end high, with unembarrassed, unashamed, untarnished blessing and praise with a finale that has no disappointments to it whatsoever. -174

[Ali]

he is merciful on me. he is good to me.

[Stephen Watson]

Moody’s Journey of Joy, study of the Psalms of Ascent, is a helpful in understanding and applying the Psalms.

[Alexander]

An Enjoyable Journey

I read this book, as well as Eugene Peterson's "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction", as part of my personal study and preparation for a teaching series on the Psalms of Ascent. While I found Peterson's commentary and explanation more beneficial on average, Josh Moody has provided an enjoyable and accessible read on this collection of psalms. I would recommend this book as a companion devotional to anyone who wants to read a little deeper into the Psalms of Ascent.

[Chola Mukanga]

I have enjoyed reading this book. It has been such a challenging joy! I suspect it is a book I will keep coming back to. I like the sermonic way he walks us through the psalms. I had been reading every weekend, but recently I upped the ante and read it more during the week. I will definitely be coming back to it both as reference and in order to be challenged.

[Jan]

I love the Psalms -- and it was lovely not only reading the Psalms of Ascent, but reading ABOUT them as well.

[nate]

Read through this as I preached through the Psalms of Ascent (120-134) in the summer of 2017. Moody blended theology, scholarship, and practical application in a very helpful way.