Psalms 121



Bible Reading - Psalm 121

This psalm is a song of confidence in the provision and protection of the Lord as the pilgrim makes his way to Jerusalem to worship. The traveler was discontent with the brokenness, deceit, and hostility which surrounded him in Psalm 120, and yearned to go and be in the presence of God; now he expresses his confidence in the Lord to protect him from the dangers of the road as he journeys to Jerusalem!

He begins with looking up to the hills. The hilltops were the so-called “high places” where idols were worshipped in the land of Canaan. As the pilgrim looks around at these places of idolatry, he remembers that his help does not come from a mere statue made of wood or metal, but from the Lord who made heaven and earth!

The pilgrim’s confidence in God’s protection and provision as he makes his way to Jerusalem is based in God’s character and faithfulness. God’s providence for His faithful ones is absolute because His authority and power are absolute. The Lord’s watchfulness over His people never failing and His care extends to even the smallest details; the pilgrim expresses confidence that the Lord would not even let him so much as lose his footing on his way to worship Him (v.3)!

As we travel through this life to our final destination, where we will be with God and worship Him forever, we can have this same confidence. The dangers and hardships that we face along the way are very real, but, because of what Jesus has done for us, we have been made sons and daughters of the living God, and we can entrust ourselves and every area of our lives over to His perfect, wise, and loving care!

ON THE COUCH WITH GOD

The psalmist expresses his confidence in God over the idols that the people worshipped on the hilltops (v.1-2). What are some things that we tend to place our confidence over and above God? How can we act to place our confidence, trust, and hope where they should rest, in the Lord?


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