Psalm 121: The Guardian Song
For Meditation
Last week we began our journey with the Songs of Ascent. We are not people who settle down in spiritual stagnation; we are a pilgrim people, called continuously on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14). Last week we learned that restlessness with the world is the beginning of the Christian journey, which sets us out on the road following after Jesus and his Kingdom.
As we move into Psalm 121, we immediately realize that the road we are called on is a road full of trouble. Psalm 121 speaks of our foot slipping, the sun scorching, and the ominous moon foretelling of evil lurking in the shadows. The Christian journey is not a safe journey, and no promise is ever given to us of a trouble-free life. The road is hard.
In this hard journey of discipleship, we may be tempted to false consolations. The psalmist says that his eyes look up to the hills for help (Psalm 121:1). While there are several ways to understand this, one likely interpretation (and the one Eugene Peterson employs) is that the hills were the places of pagan worship, where the gods of the sun and moon were honored and served. When the road gets hard, we are tempted to false gods of comfort and security that promise us quick fixes and false shelter.
Yet the Psalmist resists temptation, reminding himself that his help is not in the mountains but the one who “made heaven and earth.” Our true help is in the Lord, who six times in this psalm is called “the Guardian.” The Lord is the one who keeps us from all harm. This promise is not to keep us from trouble, but to keep us in his love and protective care. For the Christian, this means we know that despite what happens to us, we can never be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38).
As you prepare for worship this Sunday, pray through Psalm 121. List your troubles to God, and invite him to give you fresh trust in his care as your Guardian forever.
Psalm 121
(The Message)
1-2 I look up to the mountains;
does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God,
who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
3-4 He won’t let you stumble,
your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel’s
Guardian will never doze or sleep.
5-6 God’s your Guardian,
right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
sheltering you from moonstroke.
7-8 God guards you from every evil,
he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now, he guards you always.
Play along from home this week!
We’ve created parts for band and orchestral instruments, so you can play along to some of our worship songs this week! Find the parts here.
Lead your own Home Worship Service
We’re currently encouraging small gatherings with Parish Groups, home groups, or several households for worship. You can watch the online worship service on Sunday morning together or lead your own worship service using the home worship resources we provide. The home worship service guide follows the same rhythms of that week’s live service. Sing along to prerecorded music, bring a guitar, or sing unaccompanied! We will also provide resources to lead a Bible study as an alternative to watching the sermon.