A revision of a dissertation presented in 1994 to the Graduate Department of Religion at Vanderbilt University. Offers a history of interpretation and exegesis of the Songs of Ascents, exploring its translation and mystical, historicizing, formal, and cultic interpretations. Discusses the redaction of the songs and the history of the redaction process, and examines their sociohistorical context. No index. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR