Within the Psalms, there is a collection of fifteen ancient songs, known as the “Songs of Ascent.” These ancient prayer-songs were sung and spoken by multitudes of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, and they continue to be used in the spiritual journey of the modern Christian. Each psalm offers advice to those who wish to grow spiritually and draw themselves closer to God, oftentimes posing challenges and difficult questions for the pilgrim on their way.
William G. Carter uses
The Pilgrim Road to accentuate the advice that each of these psalms offers to those searching for the path to God. Although the path is not always smooth and easy, Carter reminds us that, as pilgrims, putting our faith in God does a lot more for our spiritual journey if we practice what we preach. Throughout his book, Carter offers thought-provoking questions about the reader’s life, intended to force us to take a step back from the trees and look at the forest as a whole. Once we take the time to view ourselves from the perspective of another, we can truly observe our actions in the world around us and begin to make changes where necessary.
At the conclusion of his analysis of the Psalms of Ascent, Carter poses a series of study questions, grouped by the psalm to which they pertain. By answering these questions, whether alone or with a group, disciples of Christ will begin to lift the veil on the path ahead of them, understanding the direction that their lives must take to truly follow Christ. Throughout
The Pilgrim Road, we as disciples will encounter many trials as well as successes, but none are more rewarding than growing closer in faith to our Lord, Jesus Christ and his Father in heaven.
Featured Psalms of Ascent include:
- “Holy Discomfort” (Psalm 120)
- “Where The Crooked Path Leads” (Psalm 125)
- “Know By Their Limp” (Psalm 129)
- “Finding A Home For God” (Psalm 132)
William (Bill) G. Carter has served as pastor and head of staff at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit in Pennsylvania since 1990, and he received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1985. He lives with his wife, Jamie Strong, and the two of them have had four children, all of whom have grown into mature and independent adults. As an upstate New York native, he earned his BA from Binghamton University in 1982, with a major in philosophy and a certificate in religious studies. Rev. Carter has received national recognition for his preaching and writing, with sermons and articles appearing in numerous Christian publications.
Carter has been working on
The Pilgrim Road for seven years, as the Psalms of Ascent have been an important factor in his life for 35 years. The psalms have accompanied his pastoral career, aided his spirit throughout his adult life, and offered advice and counsel in the shaping of his character and his relationship with Jesus. These Psalms have aided Carter throughout his life, and he looks to use
The Pilgrim Road to share his discoveries with a wider audience.
