For I will defend this city to save it for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

6 – 10 May 2025

For I will defend this city to save it for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

The above, Isaiah 37:35, is the LORD speaking of Himself defending and saving His people (New Heavenly Jerusalem) from the attacks (the existential threat) of the communists (the Assyrians: foreign enemies and their domestic allies mixed among us), who call good evil and evil good. Their goal is to create mass confusion (demoralization in Babylon), disorder, and chaos by any means necessary, in which they can force their rule, their control of hell: the mass misery they falsely call utopia, where (in their gaslighting) there is only suffering (torment) for those who reject (oppose) their lies and resist their dominion wherein (their means, their lies as policy) is the real agony.

The word above rendered “defend” is the eight times used Hebrew word ganan, meaning “to hedge about, i.e. (generally) protect.” The word twice rendered “sake,” is ma’an, meaning “heed, i.e. purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that.”

This latter word (ma’an) speaks of the means (the LORD leading through His obedient servant) that makes the defense and salvation possible, for both David and those who follow him in like manner.

The title verse above and Isaiah 38:6 are repetitions of 2 Kings 19:34 and 20:6, with the word ganan appearing in all.

2 Kings 20
4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah [Jehovah’s strength] the captain [nagiyd – commander] of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you: on the third day [this resurrection in this time of light, when life is created, again shoots forth, from the earth] you shall go up [‘alah – ascend in the resurrection of strength] unto the house [family] of the LORD.
6 And I will add [yachap – Joseph] unto your days fifteen years [shaneh – changes, steps, degrees: referring the fifteen Psalms of Degree, the steps of our resurrection]; and I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria [communists]; and I will defend [ganan] this city [My People] for my own sake [ma’an – who have heeded: heard and obey, My leading], and for my servant David’s sake [ma’an – who heeded my voice].
7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs [that have fallen from the tree]. And they took and laid [suwm – like Elisha laid on the child he brought to life, putting on him the LORD’s word, His sight, and His work; see 2 Kings 4:34] it on the boil [shchiyn – meaning to burn, referring us to the word shachiyc, which only appears in 2 Kings 19:29 and Isaiah 37:30, and the fire spoken of in Isaiah 19:18 and Isaiah 37:19, speaking of all the other nations the communists destroyed and burned all their false gods in the fire {‘esh}], and he recovered [on this third day, when new life shoots forth from the fig tree {God’s people}, and all the trees. Matthew 24:33 So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.]
8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?
9 And Isaiah said, This sign shall you have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?

The word rendered “degrees” is ma’alah, which translates into what ascension. Its given meaning is “elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms).”

The name Assyria means step. As we know from many previous discussions, the ten degrees is the progressive fall, the degeneration, of the LORD’s strength (the necessary understanding of just rulers) in the king line, speaking of it occurring in the ten kings since David, which ends with us under siege by the communists and their allies. The shadow (of death, Hezekiah’s condition) that returns ten degrees is the restoration of the LORD’s strength to the king line.

2 Kings 19
27 But I know your abode [the fallen house, the breach in the house of David], and your going out [of my strength], and your coming in [to strength again], and your rage against me. [the word ragaz, meaning trembling in fear, refers us to its use in Exodus 15:14, and the passage saying, 11 Who is like unto you, O LORD, among the {false} gods? who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13 You in your mercy have led forth the people which you have redeemed: you have guided them in your strength unto your holy habitation. 14 The people shall hear, and be afraid [ragaz]: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina {sojourners reaching this expected end, on this third day of the new creation {the third year below} when the fruit, new life shoots forth from the earth}.]
28 Because your rage [ragaz – fear of the enemies] against me and your tumult is come up into my ears, therefore I will put my hook [chach] in your nose [you shall perceive that I have caught you in your words], and my bridle in your lips [putting My words in your mouths], and I will turn you back [to Me] by the way [the steps, the degrees] by which you came.
29 And this shall be a sign [of when My strength rises in the house of the LORD again] unto you [those who see as I see], You shall eat this year [the time] such things as grow of themselves [caphiyach – meaning falling off {fruit no longer connected to the vine or branch}, self-sown crop – meaning following the creations of men; other than here and in Isaiah 37:30, it only appears in Leviticus 25:5 & 11, where we’re told not to reap such things; and in Job 14:19 where we’re told these are things that have grown in the dust {‘aphar – ashes of the ruin} of the earth, which the LORD washes away], and in the second year [the times] that which springs of the same [shachiyc – in the flames created]; and in the third year [shaneh – this completion of the age] sow [zara’ – this good seed as received] you, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof [this right dividing of the time].
30 And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah [the leaders of God’s people, the elect remnant] shall yet again take root downward [restoring the good foundation], and bear fruit upward [to the LORD, who seeks the fruit thereof].
31 For out of [New Heavenly] Jerusalem shall go [shoot] forth a remnant [My elect I have chosen and send], and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. [Exodus 15: 3 The LORD {Jehovah} is a man of war: the LORD {Jehovah} is his name.]
32 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria [the final step into communists], He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
33 By the way that he came, by the same [steps, degrees] shall he return [referring to coming and going of verse 27], and shall not come into this city, says the LORD.
34 For I will defend [ganan] this city, to save it, for my own sake [ma’an], and for my servant David’s sake [ma’an].

2 Kings 20
10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees [ma’alah]: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees [ma’alah].
11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees [ma’alah] backward, by which it had gone down [yarad – decended] in the dial [ma’alah] of Ahaz [who covered the way of the Sabbath, and turned {cabab} from the house of the LORD because of {paniym – the house of Jehovah’s presence – and fearing man, put his trust in} the king of Assyria {2 Kings 16:17 & 18}; he {Ahaz} is the father of, and king before, Hezakiah].
12 At that time Berodachbaladan [worshippers of idols put in God’s place], the son of Baladan [calling Baal by the LORD’s name], king of Babylon [the confusion that now rules the world], sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and showed them all the house of his precious things [this deep understanding, the source of his cure and strength], the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armor, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.
14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto you? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country [rachowq – this time ruled by the evil decrees of the wicked in power], even from Babylon.
15 And he said, What have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in my house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures [this full understanding] that I have not shown them.
16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in your house [family – the king line], and that which your fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon [into confusion’s rule in this time]: nothing shall be left, says the LORD.
18 And of your sons that shall issue from you, which you shall beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs [castrated: men without courage] in the palace of the king of Babylon.
19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which you have spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days [now when strength is resurrected with the LORD rising with us, in us]?

The defense spoken of above occurs when God’s people do as Elisha (meaning and describing how God saves) did to the child, who represents the dead body of Christ now rising.

Two of the remaining four times the word ganan (the defense) appears are in Isaiah 31:5 (the final two are in Zechariah 9:15 and 12:8).

Isaiah 31
1 Woe to them that go down [yarad – descended, as in 2 Kings 20:11 above {and Isaiah 38:8}] to Egypt [double strait, the oppression of church and state institutions] for help; and stay on horses [flesh, worldly strength], and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
2 Yet he [I Am, the Holy One] also is wise, and will bring [their own] evil [upon them], and will not call back his words: but will arise [quwm] against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helps shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall down, and they all shall fail together [will not reach the end they seek: which is to rule the dead and keep them ignorant in death].
4 For thus has the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion [the second face of the unfolding presence of the LORD] and the [the children He has given me, speaking the same words as] young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds [false accusers, teachers and preachers of falsehood] is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them [the many]: so shall the LORD of hosts [as a man of war, I Am] come down [yarad – descend from heaven] to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill [the LORD’s government] thereof.
5 As birds flying [by the strength of His understanding, descending upon the prey, as eagles with full understanding, the fourth and final face of the unfolding presence of the LORD] so will the LORD of hosts [a man of war] defend [ganan – New Heavenly] Jerusalem; defending [ganan] also he will deliver it [natsal – pulling, those who receive this word of the LORD, from the fires of hell: the event {“caught up,” the harpazo} the false prophets and false teachers twist into their false rapture doctrine]; and passing over [pacach – bringing those marked with the blood of the necessary sacrifice of the LORD with us, in us] he will preserve it [malat – they shall escape death’s hold].
6 Turn you unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.
8 Then shall the Assyrian [communists] fall with the sword [this word of God they refuse to hear and obey], not of a mighty man [but I Am a lowly man without any worldly power]; and the sword [the word of God], not of a mean man [because this is God’s love and mercy poured out], shall devour him [that refuses His love, His truth]: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
9 And he shall pass over [‘abar – as we rise from death into life, those choosing to remain dead flee] to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign [nec – the pole upon which the son of man is lifted, as Moses lifted the fiery serpent in the wilderness, exalting the LORD’s voice above all other voices], says the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his [refiners] furnace in [New Heavenly] Jerusalem.

Zechariah 9
3 And Tyrus [the false rock] did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets [which clouded the waters, God’s word, and blinded her from seeing His way].
4 Behold, the LORD will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
5 Ashkelon [those tried in the fires] shall see it, and fear; Gaza [the powerful – the mighty men of the age] also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron [like Saul, they shall be replaced]; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza [as did Saul, they shall lose their power], and Ashkelon [the place of this trial – confusion] shall not be inhabited.
6 And the illegitimate children shall dwell in Ashdod [without power], and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines [those who by choice remain in their own mire they have stirred].
7 And I will take away his blood [the words that drain life] out of his mouth, and his abominations [idols – ideas created by men] from between his teeth [as when David fought the lion and the bear]: but he that remains [comes through this purification], even he, shall be for our God, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite [will be as those cast out of Jebus so God’s people could enter and it could become Jerusalem – taught and founded on God’s ways of peace].
8 And I will encamp about my house because of the army, because of him that passes by, and because of him that returns: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with my eyes.
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes unto you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt the foal of a donkey [those released from those who have ruled over them with oppression – referring to Genesis 49:7 thru 12, and 22 thru 26]
10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends [the end of the old and the beginning of the new] of the earth.
11 As for you also, by the blood of your covenant I have sent forth your prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
12 Turn you to the strong hold, you prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto you;
13 When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim [referring to Genesis 49:24 and the bowman who shoots the longshot arrow, as a stone slung by David], and raised up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece [the mired and intoxicated], and made you as the sword of a mighty man.
14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow [his people with His blessing] shall go forth as the lightning [this understanding]: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds [from where the LORD’s voice is heard] of the south.
15 The LORD of hosts shall defend [ganan] them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones [as David]; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine [changed minds]; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones [Jewels] of a crown, lifted up as an ensign [nacac] upon his land.
17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! [the feast He has provided] corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

Zechariah 12
8 In that day shall the LORD defend [ganan] the inhabitants of [New Heavenly] Jerusalem [His people at large]; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel [mal’ak – messengers delivering this message] of the LORD before [paniym – manifesting His presence through] them.
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations [who refuse to know the LORD, and make peace with Him] that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will [as a fountain opened] pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of [New Heavenly] Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourn for his only son, and shall be in bitterness [marar] for him, as one that is in bitterness [marar] for his firstborn.
11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. [The reference in the two previous verses are, first to Joash {the fire of Jehovah}, the one pierced when he was in the battle in disguise {the LORD unknown among us as the Holy Spirit}. The second is when God’s people mourn, realizing they have been following false prophets and idols they’ve raised into God’s place, thereby causing them to not recognize the LORD among them. Hadad-Rimmon are names of idols, meaning the fruit of the mighty. Megiddon is Armageddon, the battle, at this planned {scripted} time, when the LORD manifests His presence and power in us, by His Spirit speaking and working unknown, to vanquish the many enemies, shepherds, and false prophets, who’ve scattered His sheep, His family, the little ones He is now gathering to Himself.]

The following are the fifteen Psalms (120 – 134) said to be “A Song of Degrees.” They are the only times the word appears in the Psalms, and not after until it appears five times in Isaiah, all in Isaiah 38:8.

The first step (degree into heaven) is the necessary war, in which the LORD (with truth) battles the false teaching and preaching that possesses the corrupt institutions (of church and state). The final step, which we have reached (with the enemies’ defeat), is the unity of God’s people outside the institutions in His new creation of heaven and earth.

Psalms 120
A Song of Degrees [ma’alah – what rising in the flesh]
1 In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto you? or what shall be done unto you, you false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech [where the LORD has “drawn out” the deceivers and false tongues into His light], that I dwell in the tents of Kedar [the “darkness,” when all are ignorant of the LORD’s presence]!
6 My soul has long dwelt with him that hates peace.
7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war [so it is a time for war].

Psalms 121
A Song of Degrees
1 [This is the rising of the man of war:] I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.
2 My help comes from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps [shamar] you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keeps [shamar] Israel [His people whom, with Him, have reached this expected end] shall neither slumber nor sleep [but is always present with us, alive but unknown to those without understanding, without this light, without life].
5 The LORD is your keeper [shamar – even in death]: the LORD is your shade [protection from the destructive understanding of this darkened day] upon your [covering His] right hand [where we sit until our enemies are made His footstool].
6 The sun [the corrupt church, whose light is darkness] shall not smite you by day [when this true light comes], nor the moon [civil government] by night [when ignorance covers the earth and we wait for understanding to replace it].
7 The LORD shall preserve [shamar] you from all evil: he shall preserve [shamar] your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve [shamar] your going out [of darkness] and your coming in [to the light] from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalms 122
A Song of Degrees [of this rising] of David
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house [family] of the LORD.
2 Our feet shall stand within your gates, O [New Heavenly] Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes go up [‘alah – rising with their king rising], the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel [who are His people by receiving this word, His correction, who will rule with Him on the earth] to give thanks unto the name [identity] of the LORD.
5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of [New Heavenly] Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you.
7 Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you.
9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.

Psalms 123
A Song of Degrees
1 Unto you lift I up my eyes, O you that dwellest in the heavens [this time and place of full understanding].
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our [with my] eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us [correcting us into seeing as He sees].
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt [of the proud in power who’ve become incorrigible].
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease [sha’anan – thinking they are secure in their position of power, in the totally corrupt institutions of church and state], and with the contempt of the proud.

Psalms 124
A Song of Degrees of David
1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel [those who receive the LORD at His appearing and kingdom, and obeying His commands, will rule with Him on the earth, over the new heaven and earth, wherein dwells His righteousness] say;
2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when [wicked] men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4 Then the waters [words against the truth] had overwhelmed us, the stream [their corrupt words, gaslighting: twisting reality] had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth [their mouths that divide and devour flesh].
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird [risen by this understanding] out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name [identity] of the LORD, who made [the old and new] heaven and earth.

Psalms 125
A Song of Degrees
1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion [“and {are come} unto the city of the living God, the {New} heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels {His messengers}, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel. 25 See that you refuse not him that speak. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from {this New} heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace {this gift of the LORD in us}, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.”], which cannot be removed, but abide [with the LORD] forever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even forever.
3 For the rod of the wicked [the corruption they taught the old earth they’ve destroyed, which has now ended] shall not rest upon the lot [those choosing the LORD] of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto [working] iniquity [evil misleading].
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good [have chosen good and refused evil], and to them that are upright in their hearts [having the good foundations of their minds reset].
5 As for such as turn aside [away from the LORD’s good teaching] unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity [into the consequences of their choice]: but peace shall be upon Israel [His people who choose good and receive this promised end].

Psalms 126
A Song of Degrees
1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion [His people predestined to rule with Him here on the earth], we were like them that dream [while we slept, here in death waiting for Him to complete His work: changing and renewing: creating this understanding in our minds].
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing [His words He puts in our mouths]: then said they among the heathen [who haven’t known Him], The LORD has done great things for them.
3 The LORD has done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, [make us] as the streams [of living waters] in the south [to those looking to this light rising].
5 They that sow in tears [the sorrow realizing how far away from the LORD the world has fallen] shall reap in joy [all realizing He is present with us to refresh it].
6 He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed [this good word], shall doubtless come again with rejoicing [realizing the LORD’s presence with us, in us], bringing his sheaves [this promised harvest] with him.

Psalms 127
A Song of Degrees for Solomon
1 Except the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep [rest, even in death].
3 Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD [in whom we rise from death’s sleep with His rising]: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows [chets – weapons of His warfare sent forth] are in the hand [His work] of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. [Psalms 77:17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound {qowl – Your voice}: your arrows {chets} also went abroad {halak – walk, His way is long-suffering the piercing words of the ignorant – referring to Genesis 49:23 & 24, saying “The archers {chets} have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow {qasheth – the bow in the cloud} abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel:)”} 18 The voice {qowl} of your thunder {the sound of the light} was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way is in the sea {walking among us}, and your path in the great waters, and your footsteps are not known.]
5 Happy is the man [geber – valiant warrior] that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak [in this war] with the enemies [here] in the gate [out of hell into heaven].

Psalms 128
A Song of Degrees
1 Blessed is every one that fears the LORD [which is the beginning of wisdom]; that walks in his ways.
2 For you shall eat the labor of your hands: happy shall you be, and it shall be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house: your children like olive plants round about your table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the LORD.
5 The LORD shall bless you out of Zion: and you shall see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Yea, you shall see your children’s children, and peace upon Israel.

Psalms 129
A Song of Degrees
1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4 The LORD is righteous: he has cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withers afore it grows up:
7 Wherewith the mower fills not his hand; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom.
8 Neither do they which go by [‘abar – who are, unknown to them, rising from death into life] say, The blessing of the LORD be [is] upon you: we [returning the blessing say] bless you in the name [identity] of the LORD [which must be said to see the LORD again veiled in flesh].

Psalms 130
A Song of Degrees
1 Out of the depths [ma’amaq – what deep; where this deep understanding was held in darkness until now when it’s again brought to the surface] have I cried unto you [as did Jonah from the belly of hell], O LORD. [Isaiah 51: Are you not it which has dried the sea, the waters of the great deep {thown}; that has made the depths {ma’amaq} of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over {‘abar – from death into life}?]
2 LORD, hear my voice: let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If you, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O LORD, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you, that you mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in his word [This Word] do I hope.
6 My soul waits for the LORD more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD [who is the mourning light]: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. [Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing {repeating these words} unto Zion; and everlasting joy {the realization of His present with us, in us} shall be upon their head {in their minds}: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. 12 I, even I, am he that comforts {nacham – that leads} you {into all truth}: who are you, that you shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; 13 And forget the LORD your maker, that has stretched forth the {old and new} heavens, and laid the foundations of the {of the old and new} earth; and have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?]

Psalms 131
A Song of Degrees of David
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child [putting away childish things I became a man: the Adam of His new creation].
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and forever.

Psalms 132
A Song of Degrees
1 LORD, remember [the seed of] David, and all his afflictions:
2 How he swore unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house [the same house Hezekiah looked for], nor go up into my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,
5 Until I find out a place for the LORD, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. [This is what was heard: Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephratah {the house of this bread and blessing}, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travails has brought forth {the seed of David}: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.]
7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.
8 Arise, O LORD, into your rest; you, and the ark [I Am] of your strength.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; and let your saints shout for joy [at the realization of His presence with us, in us].
10 For your servant David’s sake turn not away the face of [paniym – your presence with, in] your anointed.
11 The LORD has sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne.
12 If your children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon your throne forevermore. [This is the moment we’re in!]
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest forever: here [with, in Me people] will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread [lechem – Bethlehem Ephratah].
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy [this word declaring His presence with us, in us].
17 There will I make the horn of David [the power to rule] to bud: I have ordained a lamp [to show His way to those in the darkness] for my anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Psalms 133
A Song of Degrees of David
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity [in the ONE BODY of Christ, the house into which we all must enter]!
2 It is like the precious ointment [this anointing] upon the head [in the mind], that ran down upon the beard [and came from My mouth], even Aaron’s [the light bringers’] beard: that went down to the skirts of his [the LORD’s righteousness] garments;
3 As the dew [this word] of Hermon [that suddenly appeared on the earth], and as the dew that descended [from heaven] upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. [Do you understand and believe this?]

Psalms 134
A Song of Degrees
1 Behold, bless you the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, which by night [out of the darkness risen by these degrees] stand in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD [saying, blessed is he that’s come in His name].
3 The LORD that made [this new] heaven and earth bless you out of Zion [with this word from His throne].

Ezekiel 11
1 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of [my entry into] the LORD’s house, which looks eastward [sees this light rising]: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah [who Jehovah has heard] the son of Azur [who the people look to for help], and Pelatiah [who Jehovah delivered] the son of Benaiah [who built the house of Jehovah], princes [the ten kings before Hezekiah] of the people.
2 Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city:
3 Which say, It [the time of this expected end] is not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh.
4 Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
5 And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus says the LORD; Thus have you said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into [ma’alah – the degrees of their falling away] your mind, every one of them.
6 You have [by your wicked counsel] multiplied your slain in this city, and you have filled the streets thereof with the slain.
7 Therefore thus says the LORD God; Your slain whom you have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it.
8 You have feared the sword; and I will bring a sword [this word of the LORD you refuse to hear and obey] upon you, says the LORD God.
9 And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers [who haven’t known me], and will execute judgments among you.

The above is the first time, after Isaiah 38, the word ma’alah appears. Its next occurrences come in Ezekiel 40, where we’re told in specific language of those in darkness (the north, from the outer court) looking toward the east (for the morning) and rising out of ignorance by seven steps (ma’alah). After this, we’re told they are looking toward the east gate (from the inner court) the going up to it by eight steps (ma’alah). The original text reveals it is the LORD with them unknown, speaking of Himself as the builder of those who now find Him in (revealed, after the fifteen steps into and out of the) darkened deep.

Ezekiel 40
20 And the gate of the outward court [before realizing the LORD’s presence] that looked toward the north [remained in said darkness], he measured [considered] the length [‘orek – how this word endures forever] thereof, and the breadth thereof. [Psalms 93:3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. 4 The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. 5 Your testimonies are very sure: holiness becomes your house, O LORD, forever {‘orek}.]
21 And the little chambers [ta’ah – only used in this chapter and 1 Kings 14:28 and 2 Chronicles 12:11; referring to the treasures held therein, which were taken away by the Egyptians and replaced by creations of king Rehoboam] thereof were three [the LORD’s work] on this side and three [the LORD’s work] on that side; and the posts [‘ayil – strength] thereof and the arches [‘eylam – eternity] thereof were after the measure of [considered] the first gate [sha’ar – referring us to Genesis 28:16 & 17, speaking of when Jacob awakens and realizes where he is]: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits [now when His grace abounds]. [Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate {sha’ar} of heaven.]
22 And their windows [piercing through the wall of men’s false interpretation], and their arches [‘eylam – seeing His strength that endures throughout all eternity], and their palm trees [timmor – seeing I Am His ambassador sent], were after the measure of [considered and realized] the gate [sha’ar – that it is the gate of heaven and house of the God] that looks [paniym – when His presence is manifested in His word and work] toward the east [causing light to appear]; and they went up unto it [‘alah – lifting us into the heavens with Him] by seven steps [ma’alah]; and the arches [‘eylam – receiving His understanding that endure throughout all eternity] thereof were before them [paniym – manifesting His presence with us, in us].
23 And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north [the treasures remaining in the darkness], and toward the east [until the light comes]; and he measured [considering the time] from gate to gate a hundred cubits.

The word rendered “hundred” is me’yah, in context, meaning when we, after consideration, realize who Jehovah is.

Ezekiel 40
32 And he brought me into the inner court [into His known presence] toward the east [this light rising]: and he measured [considered] the gate according to [in the context of] these measures [considering this understanding].
33 And the little chambers thereof [where these treasure are now restored by His word and work], and the posts [‘ayil – and his strength returned] thereof, and the arches [‘eylam – by His word that endures throughout eternity] thereof, were according to these measures [considered in the context of this understanding]: and there were windows [piercing through the wall and allowing to see] therein and in the arches [‘eylam – these treasures as light piercing the wall, which strengthen us] thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad.
34 And the arches [‘eylam – this strength given] thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees [timmor – I Am, His messenger sent] were upon the posts [‘ayil – this strength] thereof, on this side, and on that side [the going out and coming back into the house, by degrees]: and the going up to [ma’aleh – the rising back into] it had eight steps [ma’alah].

Jeremiah 48
4 Moab [whose mouths are the gates of hell] is destroyed; her little ones [who know they are being destroyed] have caused a cry to be heard.
5 For in the going up [ma’aleh – rising by degrees] of Luhith [receiving this written word of the LORD] continual weeping [realizing the condition of the dead body of Christ] shall go up [‘alah]; for in the going down of Horonaim [referring to Beth-horon, the house emptied of its treasures] the enemies have heard a cry of [their own] destruction.
6 Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath [stripped of all your corruption] in the wilderness.
7 For because you have trusted in your works and in your treasures [which you put in the place of the true treasures], you shall also be taken: and Chemosh [those who’ve subdued all and brought the world into death and hell] shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes [church and state misleaders] together.
8 And the spoiler [purging corruption] shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD has spoken.
9 Give wings [this understanding] unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.
10 Cursed be he that does the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keeps back his sword [this word from the mouth of the LORD] from blood.

Jeremiah 46
10 For this is the day of the LORD God of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the LORD God of hosts has a sacrifice in the north country [‘erets – the darkened earth] by the river Euphrates [this fruitful word of the LORD].
11 Go up [‘alah] into Gilead [rise into this mountain of testimony], and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt [of the oppressed]: in vain shall you use many medicines [the old and corrupt word and ways; creations of men]; for you shall not be cured.
12 The nations have heard of your shame, and your cry has filled the land [‘erets – the earth]: for the mighty man has [by ignorance] stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together.

The only other time the word ma’alah is used in Ezekiel is in Ezekiel 43:17 where it is rendered “stairs,” which look toward the east and go up to the altar. The only time it appears after is in Amos 9:6, where it’s rendered “stories,” which the LORD builds in heaven.

Amos 9
1 I saw the LORD standing upon the altar [after going up the steps, standing in this time of His necessary sacrifice, in the flesh body He has prepared for Himself]: and he said, Smite the lintel [kaphtor – the capital, the heads of the pillars] of the door [caph – those posted at the gate, as bowls into which the blood of this sacrifice is poured], that the posts may shake [ra’ash – this is the shaking of heaven and earth spoken of in Haggai 2:6 & 7, which is quoted in Hebrews 12:26, telling us it is so the created things of men, which shall not remain, are shaken from them]: and cut them in the head [ending the creations of their minds, beginning the new heaven and earth, wherein dwell righteousness], all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword [from My mouth, speaking the Word of God]: he that flees of them shall not flee away, and he that escapes of them shall not be delivered.
2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall my hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:
3 And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:
4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set my eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.
5 And the LORD God of hosts is he that touches the land [‘erets – the earth], and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
6 It is he that builds his stories [ma’alah] in heaven, and has founded his troop in the earth [‘erets]; he that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of [paniym – manifesting His presence to] the earth [‘erets]: The LORD is his name.

11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom [the enemies mixed among us, who claim to be our brethren at peace with us, while trying to destroy us and Our better way], and of all the heathen [who haven’t known the LORD with us, in us], which are called by my name, says the LORD that does this.

Psalms 141
1 LORD, I cry unto you: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto you.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7 Our bones are scattered at the grave’s [sh’owl – sheol, hell’s] mouth, as when one cuts and cleaves wood upon the earth.
8 But my eyes are unto you, O God the LORD: in you is my trust; leave not my soul destitute [without Your treasures].
9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I withal escape.