At the beginning of the ceremony the candidate is conducted around the lodge twice, while the words of this psalm are recited.  How many of us have wondered why these words are appropriate for this degree, and, in particular, for this part of the ceremony.

If you look up the book of Psalms you'll find that 16 of them, namely 120 to 134, are called Songs of Degrees or Songs of a Ascents.  The words 'degrees' and 'ascents' mean "steps forward or upward".

This particular group of Psalms is said to have been sung in ancient times by the ones who joined the pilgrimages from their homes to Jerusalem, to attend the Holy Festivals of the Temple.  The festival in the autumn marked the new year - a part of which was Yom Kippur or Day of the Atonement.  The Passover occurs in the spring, and, 50 days later the Festival of Pentecost commemorates the stones under which were written the Ten Commandments.

At the time of Solomon, the temple on Mount Moriah was the only one of its kind in the holy land.  The faithful set out in caravans, on foot, or on donkeys or camels, over miles of robber-infested, hilly, desert country.  They were often robbed and left for dead.  They were buffeted by sandstorms, some became ill or had accidents, but always they were filled with religious fervor which, doubtless, increase as they came closer to the end of their journey.

These Psalms were the ones they sang along the way.  No. 122 is said to be the one they sang as the approached the gates of the holy city and the temple.

"I was glad when they said unto me
let us go into the house of the Lord...."

It is most likely they marched up Mount Moriah before they entered the gates of the courts of the Temple.