Week 43: Psalms 121-123
Questions: Psalms 121-123
- Read the ESV text of Psalm 121 and notice how often a form of the word “keep” appears. These all translate the same word used in the famous phrase “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). What does it mean to say that the Lord is your keeper (121:5)?
- 19th-century commentator Franz Delitzsch interprets Psalm 122:3 to refer to the close connection of house to house, a community built “harmoniously, perfectly, and snugly closed up.” How might we strive for this closeness of life together as the body of Christ?
- Psalm 123:3 says, “We have had more than enough of contempt.” In what ways do you resonate with verses 3 and 4 of this psalm? Just like the psalmist, bring these things to the Lord in prayer and “look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us” (verse 2).
Devotion
Three times a year, the Israelites traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the major Jewish festivals—Passover in spring, Pentecost in early summer, and Tabernacles in the autumn. Regardless of what direction they were coming from, it was always “up to Jerusalem,” as the city lies at an elevation of 2500 feet.
Due to this uphill trek, fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134) are known as the psalms of ascent-songs sung by the pilgrims as they made their journey. What a beautiful playlist it was-songs of praise, of blessing, of remembering, of waiting, and of hope in the Lord! Psalm 121 has long been a favorite of mine. Only eight verses, but they are packed with powerful declarations of God as our Helper, our Keeper, our Protector, and our Preserver. God’s protection over His people is this psalm’s theme; the word “keep” is used multiple times. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” (v. 1). The high places around Jerusalem held reminders of the many ways people had looked to their self-made gods. Abysmal cultic practices had been offered up on those mountains, a far cry from worshipping
The One the psalmist knows is worthy of true worship- the Lord who made the heavens and the earth.
How often do we look to the “high places” of our own making instead of looking to the Lord? To things that provide a false sense of security or a quick fix to fears that loom large- our bank account, our number of likes on social media posts, what the latest predictors are from our favorite political pundit, or what others think of us? Instead, what peace can be ours when we look to the true source of life and help- the Lord!
What encouragement to know we have a God who walks beside us on life’s journey. Not only is He ever present, but there is immense comfort in the truth that He’s never asleep on the job. Day and night, God provides all we need, be it refreshing shade when life heats up or the reminder that He is with us when a sleepless night grows so very long. God protects and preserves His people on life’s journey- both now and forevermore. That is love and grace and peace all wrapped up in a reassuring fashion!
- Natalie Karr