Psalm 121 is a favorite Psalm, especially for those in danger as a result of doing the Lord’s work.
Recently a colleague of mine had his life and family threatened in very perverse and troubling terms. The ominous text message came because of his bold stand for righteousness in his ministry and in his community in Asia.
Precautions for him are necessary; courage to stay the course is just as necessary. Yet, the personal anxiety and fear can only be met by the Lord Himself in His Word, through prayer and the encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yahweh is the Keeper of All Things
“A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
This is a pilgrimage psalm. We are all on a pilgrimage in the Christian life. Some make more dangerous journeys than others. Is looking at the hills a reminder of God’s power, or is this a look of anxiety because the hills are reminders that many troubles lurk there?
Yahweh is the Creator of all things and all places. And everything and every person is under His constant control as the Creator. Not only is there nothing to fear, but also there is no greater power or person on our side to help than Yahweh, our God!
Yahweh Keeps His People
“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
The first line is self-talk to remember truth and rely upon it. At the same time it is a prayer to the Lord for those in trouble, “may He not let . . . may He not slumber.” God is active on our behalf. As it says in Ephesians 1:22 ESV, “And he put all things under his [Christ’s] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.”
Clearly God does not sleep, nor is He unconcerned or uninvolved. Take a look at the history of Israel! Yahweh has never been caught off guard or stayed dormant in the face of His people’s troubles. Being a member of the New People of God guarantees His concern.
Yahweh Keeps His Own Personally
“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.”
The theme of the Psalm is that Yahweh is not only the general keeper of the universe, and the special protector of His People, but that He is also one’s personal keeper. This is an astounding commitment of the Lord to you, if you are His!
The sun and the moon together as symbols encompass all time, all places, and all forces. Of course we can observe the literal need of protection from the sun and its heat, but intended here as well is the protection from the evil effects of evil forces, human and demonic, so often active at night.
Yahweh Keeps Us throughout the Journey
“The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Here is great assurance that the Lord has all resources to overcome all evil and trouble. Our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, are in His hands, the Great Keeper!
As servants of the Lord, we travel often on journeys, “going out” and “coming in,” to advance the cause of Christ and His Kingdom, and we have His protection while we do so. We definitely need it, and moreso in certain parts of the world.
This is a Psalm expressing great confidence, and giving great comfort! This is also a Psalm asking for great acts of power and protection!
Recently a colleague of mine had his life and family threatened in very perverse and troubling terms. The ominous text message came because of his bold stand for righteousness in his ministry and in his community in Asia.
Precautions for him are necessary; courage to stay the course is just as necessary. Yet, the personal anxiety and fear can only be met by the Lord Himself in His Word, through prayer and the encouragement of brothers and sisters in Christ.
Yahweh is the Keeper of All Things
“A song of ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”
This is a pilgrimage psalm. We are all on a pilgrimage in the Christian life. Some make more dangerous journeys than others. Is looking at the hills a reminder of God’s power, or is this a look of anxiety because the hills are reminders that many troubles lurk there?
Yahweh is the Creator of all things and all places. And everything and every person is under His constant control as the Creator. Not only is there nothing to fear, but also there is no greater power or person on our side to help than Yahweh, our God!
Yahweh Keeps His People
“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
The first line is self-talk to remember truth and rely upon it. At the same time it is a prayer to the Lord for those in trouble, “may He not let . . . may He not slumber.” God is active on our behalf. As it says in Ephesians 1:22 ESV, “And he put all things under his [Christ’s] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.”
Clearly God does not sleep, nor is He unconcerned or uninvolved. Take a look at the history of Israel! Yahweh has never been caught off guard or stayed dormant in the face of His people’s troubles. Being a member of the New People of God guarantees His concern.
Yahweh Keeps His Own Personally
“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.”
The theme of the Psalm is that Yahweh is not only the general keeper of the universe, and the special protector of His People, but that He is also one’s personal keeper. This is an astounding commitment of the Lord to you, if you are His!
The sun and the moon together as symbols encompass all time, all places, and all forces. Of course we can observe the literal need of protection from the sun and its heat, but intended here as well is the protection from the evil effects of evil forces, human and demonic, so often active at night.
Yahweh Keeps Us throughout the Journey
“The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Here is great assurance that the Lord has all resources to overcome all evil and trouble. Our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, are in His hands, the Great Keeper!
As servants of the Lord, we travel often on journeys, “going out” and “coming in,” to advance the cause of Christ and His Kingdom, and we have His protection while we do so. We definitely need it, and moreso in certain parts of the world.
This is a Psalm expressing great confidence, and giving great comfort! This is also a Psalm asking for great acts of power and protection!
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