Psalms of Ascent: Psalm 121

 Psalms of Ascent

Psalms 120 – 135 are a series of 15 Psalms sung by pilgrims either on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the festivals or at the festivals themselves. Together they are called the "Psalms of Ascent". 

Over the next several days, I want to explore some of the ways these ancient Psalms sung by pilgrims many years ago relate to us today. 

These Psalms speak of hope, passion, future dreams, desire and trust while on a journey that reminds them, and us, of past memories, present sufferings and future promises. 

The Psalms of Ascent point us to the hope that is present in the midst of whatever journey you are on.

Psalm 121 (NLT)
I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
    the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
    never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
    and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
    both now and forever.

It's hard to imagine the difficulties - physical, emotional, spiritual - that the pilgrims faced as they went up to celebrate in Jerusalem. This song comes out of that journey into the shadows and the beauty of the mountains along the way. And as majestic and beautiful it is to walk in the mountains, these pilgrims saw their help not in the beauty, strength and splendour of the mountains, but in the God who created all that they saw.

As their eyes lifted to those mountains, a greater thought invaded their natural wonder of the scenery through which they passed: 

God is ALWAYS watching over them. 

In fact, the psalmist  this on six occasions in this song alone.

As we journey, daily, it is easy to find ourselves having thoughts of ‘aloneness’.

How often have you thought

• No one else knows what I am going through
• No one else understands

Those whispers can come into our hearts from the dark places of our minds. 

When the whispers become loud, this Psalm can be our comfort. 

There is NEVER a time where God abandons me. His ‘watch’ over me is ‘both now and forever.’ Even the greatest beauty of nature is no match for this thought.

Prayer

Dear Lord God, I am so thankful that you have reminded me that every day you watch over me. When I look at the beauty of creation it only reminds me that you created the heavens and earth itself. And yet, you watch over me personally. Lord, I am beyond words in describing how this makes me feel. My heart cries out to you in thankfulness. Amen.