Reflections on Psalms 121

 Psalms 121(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A song for worship.) I look to the hills! Where will I find help?
   
2. It will come from the LORD, who created the heavens and the earth.
   
3. The LORD is your protector, and he won't go to sleep or let you stumble.
   
4. The protector of Israel doesn't doze or ever get drowsy.
   
5. The LORD is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun.
   
6. You won't be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night.
   
7. The LORD will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers.
   
8. The LORD will protect you now and always wherever you go.

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Psalms 121 is part of a collection of psalms, 120 to 134, that are called "songs of ascents." These were songs sung by the Israelites as they made their annual pilgrimage or ascent to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. Since Jerusalem was in the hills, the journey was an ascent from most places in Israel. This also gives context to the statement in the first verse, "I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?" The implied answer is that it comes from the Lord who, in the pilgrims mind, resided in the temple in Jerusalem which was on the mountain.

This One who was their help is "the Maker of heaven and earth." (121:2) He is fully capable of providing whatever help is needed on the journey whether it be from stumbling along the way ("He will not allow your foot to slip") or from the heat of the sun or from the dangers of night. Nothing will get past the Lord who "does not slumber or sleep." (121:4) He "will protect you from all harm." (121:7) For "The LORD will protect your coming and going both now and forever." (121:8) This last statement was assurance for the pilgrims that God guarded their movements at all times and not only on the pilgrimage.

There is an unspoken condition of this protection from the Lord. We must submit our ways to Him as did the pilgrim who was on a journey to worship the Lord and who looked to the Lord for his protection. He is not our protector when we are on a mission to do harm, for instance. He does not necessarily keep us from harm when we foolishly place ourselves in harm's way. There are limitations to God's protection.

Furthermore, when we place ourselves in the Lord's care, we must trust that He has our best interest at heart regardless of how circumstances may appear. If seeming harm does get past Him we must trust that He has a good outcome in mind for us if we will trust Him and allow Him to bring it to completion.