It’s a Nietzsche quote.
The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is . . . that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.
It’s the title of a Eugene Peterson book on “the Psalms of Ascents”.
And if Bono gets his way…
…it might become a tattoo on his arm.
I suspect that Bono’s interest in that quote stems from his friendship with Peterson, rather than any affection for Nietzsche. But whatever the case… it’s interesting.
It’s also interesting that Bono has called the next U2 album “Songs of Ascent.”