Psalm 121 – The LORD Watches Over Us

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” ~Psalm 121:1-2 (NRSV).

The second in the Song of Ascents, this one reminds us of curling up in front of the fire on a dark and stormy early evening, safe and content, watching the mystery of the flame play upon our eyes; our hearts soothed and our minds anaesthetised from many possible worries.

Safety and Security

Verse for verse, this set of eight in Psalm 121 speak in unison for safety and security. The Shepherd watches over his flock and not one sheep is neglected or spurned.

Wherever and whenever we look the Lord is there. And it is our nature to look for guidance and help when we detect problems. God has promised his Presence and it is eternally there.

The Quiet Enjoyment of Sleep

Even as we sleep, enjoying rest from the wiles of life, the Lord watches over us, never letting harm come our way. Likewise, God watches over the church and tends to it, again like a Shepherd might monitor his flock. And as we consider sleep, we thank God that despite the excitement and challenge of life, we have wired within the need to rest, and a desire to enjoy same.

We might otherwise neglect this thought: our Lord keeps us during our sleep; the mode of sleep being trust on our account that sleep won’t turn into death, for we are giving over our consciousness, temporarily, to God.

Eternal Provision

Ever more, our every provision is augmented by our Jehovah Jireh (Genesis 22:14). As day gives way to night, neither the sun striking us nor the moon (verse 6), we enjoy so many continuous days and nights throughout the process that is our lives. Every breath is sponsored by the Lord.

The Lord is our Keeper (verse 5), and the provision of things we are given can never be counted; they are like the hairs on our head.

God is Always Working On Our Account

It comes as no surprise that God never sleeps. It’s a fact that the Lord never tires, either of us or the process of creation.

As we follow our God we will be kept from evil, though like in any battle, life is characterised by threats to evil, constantly. This psalm affords us the assurance of life; that grace is ours, eternally, by the comprehensive obedience of the Lord Jesus on the cross.

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Whenever we feel insecure or unsafe we can know comfort, afresh, that God watches over us, in our going out and our coming in, always.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.