Degree

  A degree is “one of a series of steps in a process, course, or progression; a stage; a step in a direct hereditary line of descent or ascent; relative social or official rank, dignity, or position; relative intensity or amount, as of a quality or attribute; the extent or measure of a state of being, an action, or a relation. Grammar: One of the forms used in the comparison of adjectives and adverbs. For example, tall is the positive degree, taller the comparative degree, and tallest the superlative degree of the adjective tall.”–American Heritage Dictionary.

  Psalms 120 to 134 are called Songs of Degrees. A Song of Degrees is a 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.–M. G. Easton

“All life exists according to its kind and degree: A rose can be no other kind of flower, but it can grow in degree from a bud to full-blown.”–Edna Lister

  The kind of a person or thing is innate and unique: either this or that. The degree is the full spectrum of a kind: this and this and this, by degrees. Thus, the law of kind and degree illustrates why all people do not have the same talents, skills, ability and intelligent comprehension. All souls are created with the equal right to become, but the equality ends with their choice in what kind to become and to what degree.
  You are destined to be perfect in thought, word and deed, so do not resist your destiny: The law of kind and degree is rooted in the principle of nonresistance; it is an abstract principle, a law of being, and a law of doing.

  The topic of degree is wide-ranging on the Via Christa, and best studied along these avenues:

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