Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
In Psalm 121 we are reminded that God is our helper, that he protects us, tends to our needs, and provides for us. We are encouraged to look “up” to see the wonderful works that God has done and the promises that He has kept. In doing so, we leave behind the worry and fear, the discouragement and frustration we find when we are distracted by our busy routines or circumstances. As we “lift up our eyes to the mountains,” our focus is shifted from ourselves to a God who loves us.
Additional Resources:
Devotion: He does not slumber or sleep.
Music to listen to:
“Psalm 121 Song – The Keeper” by Jason Silver
“Psalm 121 A Song of Ascents” by Ester Mui
“Shoulders” by For King & Country
“God of Angel Armies” by Chris Tomlin
Enjoy God's creation virtually through the Glacier National Park webcams
Find a quiet place. Read the Psalm through in its entirety out loud several times. Paraphrase this Psalm in your own words. If you journal, write down your paraphrase.
Read Psalm 23. Find the similarities between these two Psalms. What promises stand out to you? Are you reminded of other places in the Bible that these same promises are made?
Memorize verses 1-2.
Spend some time savoring verse two. Why is it important to remember God as the “creator of heaven and earth?
What are you afraid of today? Write your fear on a piece of paper. Hold it in your hand and lift your eyes and your hand heavenward, giving your fear to the Lord. Crush the paper in your hand as you ask God to protect you. Close this prayer with praise to the One who is your helper and your keeper.
Memorize verses 3-4.
God doesn’t sleep. What does this truth mean for you?
End each day this week with prayer just before you go to sleep. Lay all your cares and worries, frustrations and disappointments at the feet of Jesus. Let Him take care of everything. Thank Him for the blessings you received today.
Memorize verses 5-6.
What does it mean to you to think of the Lord as “the shade at your right hand?”
Consider these passages: Psalm 32:1, Isaiah 4, Romans 5:8, Isaiah 43:25, John 3:16.
Memorize verses 7-8
God is always watching over you because He loves you and wants to take care of you. Think of a time when God has used a hard situation for your good. Journal about how you felt before, during, and after the situation passed. When you look back on this time now, are you reminded of God’s promise to watch over you? Are you strengthened to go through whatever your current circumstances might be? How has your relationship with God changed by going through this trial with Him by your side?
In the highs and in the lows, God is there. He sets His people apart and makes them Holy to do His work, to glorify Him.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)