Psalm 121
Where do you turn when life is long, hot, dry and hard? Where do you go for protection and security? In a battle situation the position with the greatest advantage is always the high ground. If you are above your enemy then you will have greater visibility and an easier position to defend. As we think about this picture let’s review the background of Psalm 121. Most likely this Psalm was written for travelers to sing as they travelled to Jerusalem. Yes they sang as they walked in much the same way as we might sing on a long car ride to pass the time and drudgery.
The Question of Hope, Help and Security
Imagine David walking on a winding road through a valley on the way up to Jerusalem which geographically sits on top a mountain in the hill country. He begins with a question about where his help comes from (1). As a military leader he was seeing the best position on top of the hill. He realized that he was in a vulnerable position and his eyes confirmed what he saw. What do you eyes see? Do you only see the present difficulties and the difficult position that you are in? David’s view was beyond the mountains to God who is above the mountains. He had eyes of faith to see what others might not see. He wanted help and he knew that he had to look above and beyond his present situation to God who is greater than the present situation.
God is Helper
In verses 2-8 David is reminded about five key actions of God. The first is that God is a helper (2). David is certain of who his helper is. There is no one else who helps like God. He also sees that creation reminds him of the one who is helping Him. David sees that the all-powerful God who made the heavens and earth is helping him. That alone gives hope for today. David was trusting God alone to help him. Are you trusting in God to help and save you?
God is Guarding
Next, David sees God as the one who guards him (3). He states that God will not allow your foot to slip. The path of life is always filled with uncertain slippery situations. David finds his confidence in God to guard his steps and keep him from slipping. But notice what he says in verse three. This guarding that God does is not just a one time event. David sees that God is always attentive and watching over his life. God is always faithful and will not doze or even take a short nap or rest. God sees your situation, God knows the difficulties of your situation and God is certainly attentive to your situation. David knows that God cares about the events of his life and you can know that God cares about you and the events of your life.
God is Watchful
Thirdly, David sees that God is watchful (4). He understands God’s care in verse three but moves to a greater understanding of God’s overall knowledge over all of life in verse four. God does not sleep or slumber and because this is true God knows all that is going on. He is always watchful and thus always knowing. Remember how David started this Psalm with a reference to the hills and the high ground? David in a way sees life from God’s perspective on high and realizes that always aware and always watching all the events of life. There is nothing that surprises Him. People may question and challenge why certain things happen, but David realizes that God wants him to trust in Him because He knows and is watching over all things.
God is Protector
Next, David sees God as more than just passively watching, but being active in protecting and sustaining (5-6). The best place to be on a very hot day is not out in the open but in the shade of a large tree or building. The only way to find protection from the burning heat is to step into the shade. Rest in the shade is found as one sits down and leans back on the tree as the sun beats down. Protection from the heat of life’s problems is only found as we rest in the shade of God’s presence at this present moment. The sun’s position may change but David is confident that God will keep and protect those who seek shelter in His presence. However, David does not just end with one event during one day. He sees God protecting all day and all night. David’s view of God’s power is not limited to one event or situation. He trusts God for all of life’s events during the day or the night.
God is Preserver
Finally, David sees God as the one who protects and preserves his life (7-8). God is not limited in time or power because David states that God will protect from all evil. This powerful God will not just protect life but also preserve the soul of those who trust Him to save or preserve them. God is faithful and unchanging and He will protect and preserve when you go out to start the day and when you come in to end the day. David says that the LORD will always be the one who saves from now and forever. David is confident that God will save forever. I hope that is true for you. God wants to not only save from the problems but also for all time. Will you trust Him like David?
Where do you turn when the difficulties of life are as high as the mountains? When we trust in God alone as the only one who helps, guards, watches, protects and preserves we can find rest in His presence when the problems in life heat up.
Where do you turn when life is long, hot, dry and hard? Where do you go for protection and security? In a battle situation the position with the greatest advantage is always the high ground. If you are above your enemy then you will have greater visibility and an easier position to defend. As we think about this picture let’s review the background of Psalm 121. Most likely this Psalm was written for travelers to sing as they travelled to Jerusalem. Yes they sang as they walked in much the same way as we might sing on a long car ride to pass the time and drudgery.
The Question of Hope, Help and Security
Imagine David walking on a winding road through a valley on the way up to Jerusalem which geographically sits on top a mountain in the hill country. He begins with a question about where his help comes from (1). As a military leader he was seeing the best position on top of the hill. He realized that he was in a vulnerable position and his eyes confirmed what he saw. What do you eyes see? Do you only see the present difficulties and the difficult position that you are in? David’s view was beyond the mountains to God who is above the mountains. He had eyes of faith to see what others might not see. He wanted help and he knew that he had to look above and beyond his present situation to God who is greater than the present situation.
God is Helper
In verses 2-8 David is reminded about five key actions of God. The first is that God is a helper (2). David is certain of who his helper is. There is no one else who helps like God. He also sees that creation reminds him of the one who is helping Him. David sees that the all-powerful God who made the heavens and earth is helping him. That alone gives hope for today. David was trusting God alone to help him. Are you trusting in God to help and save you?
God is Guarding
Next, David sees God as the one who guards him (3). He states that God will not allow your foot to slip. The path of life is always filled with uncertain slippery situations. David finds his confidence in God to guard his steps and keep him from slipping. But notice what he says in verse three. This guarding that God does is not just a one time event. David sees that God is always attentive and watching over his life. God is always faithful and will not doze or even take a short nap or rest. God sees your situation, God knows the difficulties of your situation and God is certainly attentive to your situation. David knows that God cares about the events of his life and you can know that God cares about you and the events of your life.
God is Watchful
Thirdly, David sees that God is watchful (4). He understands God’s care in verse three but moves to a greater understanding of God’s overall knowledge over all of life in verse four. God does not sleep or slumber and because this is true God knows all that is going on. He is always watchful and thus always knowing. Remember how David started this Psalm with a reference to the hills and the high ground? David in a way sees life from God’s perspective on high and realizes that always aware and always watching all the events of life. There is nothing that surprises Him. People may question and challenge why certain things happen, but David realizes that God wants him to trust in Him because He knows and is watching over all things.
God is Protector
Next, David sees God as more than just passively watching, but being active in protecting and sustaining (5-6). The best place to be on a very hot day is not out in the open but in the shade of a large tree or building. The only way to find protection from the burning heat is to step into the shade. Rest in the shade is found as one sits down and leans back on the tree as the sun beats down. Protection from the heat of life’s problems is only found as we rest in the shade of God’s presence at this present moment. The sun’s position may change but David is confident that God will keep and protect those who seek shelter in His presence. However, David does not just end with one event during one day. He sees God protecting all day and all night. David’s view of God’s power is not limited to one event or situation. He trusts God for all of life’s events during the day or the night.
God is Preserver
Finally, David sees God as the one who protects and preserves his life (7-8). God is not limited in time or power because David states that God will protect from all evil. This powerful God will not just protect life but also preserve the soul of those who trust Him to save or preserve them. God is faithful and unchanging and He will protect and preserve when you go out to start the day and when you come in to end the day. David says that the LORD will always be the one who saves from now and forever. David is confident that God will save forever. I hope that is true for you. God wants to not only save from the problems but also for all time. Will you trust Him like David?
Where do you turn when the difficulties of life are as high as the mountains? When we trust in God alone as the only one who helps, guards, watches, protects and preserves we can find rest in His presence when the problems in life heat up.
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