Easton's Bible Dictionary Degrees, Song of Song of steps, a title given to each of these fifteen psalms, 120-134 inclusive. The probable origin of this name is the circumstance that these psalms came to be sung by the people on the ascents or goings up to Jerusalem to attend the three great festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). They were well fitted for being sung by the way from their peculiar form, and from the sentiments they express. "They are characterized by brevity, by a key-word, by epanaphora [i.e, repetition], and by their epigrammatic style...More than half of them are cheerful, and all of them hopeful." They are sometimes called "Pilgrim Songs." Four of them were written by David, one (127) by Solomon, and the rest are anonymous. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DEGREES, SONGS OF (shir ha-ma`aloth; Septuagint ode ton anabathmon; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) canticum graduum, the Revised Version (British and American) "a song of ascents"): The title prefixed to 15 psalms (Pss 120-134) as to the significance of which there are four views: (1) The Jewish interpretation. According to the Mishna, Middoth 2 5, Cukkah 51b, there was in the temple a semi-circular flight of stairs with 15 steps which led from the court of the men of Israel down to the court of the women. Upon these stairs the Levites played on musical instruments on the evening of the first day of Tabernacles. Later Jewish writers say that the 15 psalms derived their title from the 15 steps. (2) Gesenius, Delitzsch and others affirm that these psalms derive their name from the step-like progressive rhythm of their thoughts. They are called Songs of Degrees because they move forward climactically by means of the resumption of the immediately preceding word. But this characteristic is not found in several of the group. (3) Theodoret and other Fathers explain these 15 hymns as traveling songs of the returning exiles. In Ezra 7:9 the return from exile is called "the going up (ha-ma`alah) from Babylon." Several of the group suit this situation quite well, but others presuppose the temple and its stated services. (4) The most probable view is that the hymns were sung by pilgrim bands on their way to the three great festivals of the Jewish year. The journey to Jerusalem was called a "going up," whether the worshipper came from north or south, east or west. All of the songs are suitable for use on such occasions. Hence, the title Pilgrim Psalms is preferred by many scholars. See DIAL OF AHAZ. John Richard Sampey SONGS OF DEGREES See DEGREES, SONGS OF; DIAL OF AHAZ, 7.

Multi-Version Concordance Degrees (18 Occurrences) 2 Kings 20:9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? (KJV JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT) 2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. (KJV JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT) 2 Kings 20:11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. (KJV JPS BBE DBY WBS YLT) Psalms 120:1 {A Song of degrees.} In my trouble I called unto Jehovah, and he answered me. (DBY WBS) Psalms 121:1 {A Song of degrees.} I lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: whence shall my help come? (DBY WBS) Psalms 122:1 {A Song of degrees. Of David.} I rejoiced when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah. (DBY WBS) Psalms 123:1 {A Song of degrees.} Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. (DBY WBS) Psalms 124:1 {A Song of degrees. Of David.} If it had not been Jehovah who was for us oh let Israel say -- (DBY WBS) Psalms 125:1 {A Song of degrees.} They that confide in Jehovah are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved; it abideth for ever. (DBY WBS) Psalms 126:1 {A Song of degrees.} When Jehovah turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. (DBY WBS) Psalms 128:1 {A Song of degrees.} Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, that walketh in his ways. (DBY WBS) Psalms 129:1 {A Song of degrees.} Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth oh let Israel say -- (DBY WBS) Psalms 130:1 {A Song of degrees.} Out of the depths do I call upon thee, Jehovah. (DBY WBS) Psalms 131:1 {A Song of degrees. Of David.} Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, and in things too wonderful for me. (DBY WBS) Psalms 132:1 {A Song of degrees.} Jehovah, remember for David all his affliction; (DBY WBS) Psalms 133:1 {A Song of degrees. Of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (DBY WBS) Psalms 134:1 {A Song of degrees.} Behold, bless Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, who by night stand in the house of Jehovah. (DBY WBS) Isaiah 38:8 Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. (KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT)