Psalm 121

This psalm directed the thoughts of the pilgrim to God as his source of help. It gives assurance that Israel's Keeper will maintain vigilant oversight and protect His people.

 1. The source of help 121:1-2

The psalmist lifted up his eyes to the hills around Mt. Zion as he travelled to a feast there from some flatter part of Canaan. As he did so, he reflected on the source of his help. He also reminded himself that his help was the God who had made those hills along with the whole heaven and earth (cf. 124:8). This was the God he was travelling to worship at the temple on Mt. Zion.

 2. The assurance of help 121:3-8

121:3-4 Allowing the foot to slip was an appropriate figure for a pilgrim who walked toward the temple over sometimes treacherous terrain. The figure means God would keep His people stable and upright in their manner of life. Even though travelers sometimes journeyed after dark, God would never stop watching out for his worshippers.

121:5-6 Yahweh would guard His people as an animal keeper protects his charge. He would protect them from hostile influences that the blazing Palestinian sun represented. He would not allow danger to overtake them by day or by night.

121:7-8 The Lord is the Protector of His people. He guards their lives from all evil influences. He protects them when they go outdoors and when they return indoors, namely always. Moreover He will provide this protection forever.

"Did believers never suffer from sunstroke or fall into the hands of bandits? It is apparent that while the psalm speaks of such blanket protection, the pilgrim must understand that everything that invades his or her life is under God's watchful care and providence. The spirit of the psalm is to evoke trust in Yahweh, the Keeper of the pilgrim, and the Keeper of Israel, the Maker of heaven and earth. Often things that happen in the life of the pilgrim would not be his or her choice. But the psalm is not pointing in this direction. The direction is upward, toward God. The believer must recognize that life is a gift from God, the Giver of life. The pilgrim can rest confidently, knowing that God's glory will prevail, and that justice . . . and righteousness . . . will ultimately rule."²⁰⁰

This psalm is a comforting reminder of God's continual protection from harm and danger of all kinds. It it especially appropriate for travelers to remind themselves of His watch-care.

"In spite of the perils of one's pilgrimage, the believer can exercise trust in the Lord. God is neither too great to care, nor are God's people too insignificant to be noticed. This quiet psalm reflects on God who quells the anxiety of the pilgrim's heart, who watches over him or her with a shepherd's gentleness and a guardian's vigilance, and who gives thoughtful benediction to one's daily routines."²⁰¹