Editing Song of Ascents (section)

==Judaism==
[[File:Shear Yashuv Cohen at Signing of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty (1994).webm|thumb|[[She'ar Yashuv Cohen]] reading [[Psalm 121]] at [[Israel–Jordan peace treaty]] ceremony]]

===Historical===
There are two references to the Songs of Ascents in the [[Mishnah]], noting the correspondence between the fifteen songs and the temple's fifteen steps between the Israelite's court and the women's court.<ref>Sukkah 5:4; Middot 2:5</ref> [[Rashi]] refers to a Talmudic legend that King David composed or sang the fifteen songs to calm rising waters at the foundation of the temple.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gruber |first=Mayer I. |date=2007 |title=Rashi's Commentary on Psalms|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nsl2NrA6v6gC&q=Rashi’s+Commentary+on+Psalms |location=Philadelphia |publisher=Jewish Publication Society |page=698 |isbn=978-0827608726 |access-date=7 May 2015 }}</ref>

===Present day===
[[Psalm 126]], eponymously called "''Shir Hamaalot''" due to its common use, is traditionally recited by Ashkenazim before the [[Birkat Hamazon|Grace After Meals]] on [[Shabbat]], [[Jewish holidays]], and other [[Seudat mitzvah|festive occasions]] in keeping with its themes of joy and redemption.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=etK8tgEACAAJ&q=126|title=The Complete Artscroll Siddur|first=Rabbi Nosson|last=Scherman|year=2003|publisher=[[Artscroll|Mesorah Publications, Ltd.]]|isbn=9780899066509|edition=3rd|page=183}}</ref> The psalm is sung to a wide variety of tunes both liturgical and secular.

It is traditional for some Jews to place a copy of [[Psalm 121]] in the labor and delivery room to promote an easy labor by asking God for mercy. As well, it is placed on the baby's carriage and in the baby's room to protect the child and surround them in learning and with holy objects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/healthy-in-body-mind-and-spirit-2/41.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504071551/http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/healthy-in-body-mind-and-spirit-2/41.htm|url-status=dead|title=Shir HaMaalos in the Hospital from Sichos in English|archivedate=May 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/567,2064325/Why-do-people-place-the-Shir-Hamaalot-Psalm-near-a-babys-crib.html|title=Why do people place the "Shir Hamaalot" Psalm near a baby's crib? - life cycle birth the laws|website=Askmoses.com|access-date=19 May 2018|archive-date=18 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118090530/http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/567,2064325/Why-do-people-place-the-Shir-Hamaalot-Psalm-near-a-babys-crib.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The 15 chapter are recited in some communities following [[Mincha]] on Shabbat afternoon in the winter.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/completeservicef0000unse|title=The Complete Artscroll Siddur|first=Rabbi Nosson|last=Scherman|year=1987|publisher=[[Artscroll|Mesorah Publications, Ltd.]]|isbn=9780899066509|edition=2nd|page=530-543}}</ref>

[[Psalm 128]] is recited in some communities in [[Maariv]] at the conclusion of the Sabbath.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/completeservicef0000unse|title=The Complete Artscroll Siddur|first=Rabbi Nosson|last=Scherman|year=1987|publisher=[[Artscroll|Mesorah Publications, Ltd.]]|isbn=9780899066509|edition=2nd|page=608-609}}</ref>