Psalm 121:1-8
These Psalms are called: psalms of degrees, or ascents. They were written for going up to Jerusalem for the Passover or other worship feasts. There are fifteen altogether and they are rather short in length. This made it possible to quickly transition from one psalm of ascent to the next one as they approached the city to worship. I would have liked to have been in that group as they are very spiritual hymns.
As they approached Jerusalem, they could look off in the distance to see the small mountains surrounding it. Then they would chant: I will lift up my eyes to the hills. The next thought would be: Are these hills the place of my help? The answer would be: My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth. The following phrases are about God’s keeping power for these pilgrims. The first is: He will not suffer they foot to be moved. This means he will not allow a backward push or for them to fall. He will steady their way. The next thought is God is always awake. In this we can remember I Kings chapter 18 where we’re told about Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal. Maybe your god is sleeping he chides. For Elijah, he understood His God was always awake and He proved himself by answering with fire. God is said to be shade from both the sun and moon. The next thought dwells on the word “preserve”. He is able to keep our soul from all evil. Can God do that for me? He has many times!
As they approached Jerusalem, they could look off in the distance to see the small mountains surrounding it. Then they would chant: I will lift up my eyes to the hills. The next thought would be: Are these hills the place of my help? The answer would be: My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth. The following phrases are about God’s keeping power for these pilgrims. The first is: He will not suffer they foot to be moved. This means he will not allow a backward push or for them to fall. He will steady their way. The next thought is God is always awake. In this we can remember I Kings chapter 18 where we’re told about Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal. Maybe your god is sleeping he chides. For Elijah, he understood His God was always awake and He proved himself by answering with fire. God is said to be shade from both the sun and moon. The next thought dwells on the word “preserve”. He is able to keep our soul from all evil. Can God do that for me? He has many times!
