Mission Venture Ministries

“I will raise my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2) 

The city of Jerusalem is situated in a mountain range and Jewish tradition claims that God’s people sang these pilgrimage “Songs of Ascent” referring to Psalms 120-134 as they journeyed to the temple for one of the yearly worship festivals. 

This psalm is a general declaration of the worshiper’s trust in God as the guardian and protector of life’s journey. The psalmist trusted that God the Creator was tirelessly watching over him, sleeplessly protecting him. He knew that the help he desired would come from the Lord; therefore, to those who love Him and obey Him, we must also trust the eternal promises of God. 

The Bible is full of incredible promises of help from the Lord for those who hope and trust in Him: “You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield” (Psalm 115:11). 

In Psalm 23, the Lord is our Shepherd, leading and guiding us through all of life’s hardships and joys. 

In the New Testament, believers in Jesus say, “My help comes from the Lord,” because Christ is their Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11-15). 

God’s watchful eye is always open, looking with love and care upon His people. “He will not allow your foot to slip; He who watches over you will not slumber (Psalm 121:3). When we look to the LORD, we have confidence in the fact that God does not sleep. The idea is so strong that it is repeated again in Psalm 121:4 for “Behold, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” 

Travelers on their way to Jerusalem to observe annual festivals faced many difficulties. This could include threats from animals or robbers in the hills (Psalm 121:1-2). Danger also came in the form of the burning rays of the blazing sun in the Middle East. 

However, in continuing reassurance the psalmist writes: “The Lord is your protector; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not beat down on you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5-6). These verses note God’s provision against these dangers. Like a shepherd and protector, God “watches” His people, representing His divine intervention and protection. 

God’s protection here is symbolized as a shade which blocks the intense rays of the sun. Similarly, the psalmist sates in Psalm 63:7 that “for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.” Another psalmist states that the “One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” (Psalm 91:1-2) and “in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by” (Psalm 57:1). 

The “right hand” in Scripture typically implies strength and authority. In the midst of our daily efforts, God provides protection, power, and defense as we go about our lives, as we see when the psalmist continues in the following verse. 

“The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul” (Psalm 121:7). This continues the encouraging response stated in verses 3–6 to the psalm’s initial questions in Psalm 121:1-2. A “keeper” is someone who guards, watches, protects and guides someone as we see in Psalm 97:10, “He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked,” which include the thoughts of a watchful guardian. 

And the last verse states: “The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time and forever” (Psalm 121:8). Going out and coming in translates a Hebrew expression referring to daily work and daily activities. Going out referred to a man’s leaving home in the morning to labor and coming in referred to his returning home after work. Throughout all the activities of the day, the believer should be confident of the Lord’s presence and protection. 

No matter what trouble we face in this dark world, God is with us, shining His light into the darkness (John 1:4; 2 Corinthians 4:6) and providing everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). All of our days, He is our Helper and the God who sustains our lives (Psalm 54:4). 

Psalm 121 enlightens us in how God, the all-powerful Creator and ever-present Protector, is the only real and trustworthy source of help for humankind. 

First Peter 3:12 assures us that “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.” As we journey through life as pilgrims, we can count on the Lord to watch over us. No struggle comes to us without His awareness or outside of His control (John 16:33). 

So who shall we trust in? “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). 

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