Psalm 121

Psalm Category: Song of Ascents

Central Thought: The Lord is my keeper

Key words: keep, shade

A Song of Ascents. Psalm 121 is second in the series of the Songs of Ascents (120-134). This heading probably refers to God’s people going up to Mt. Zion in Jerusalem for the three annual feasts (2 Chron. 8:13; Ps. 24:3). These psalms are therefore even more suitable for us when we go up, as it were, to the heavenly Jerusalem in public worship (Heb. 12:18-24). Those who enjoy a long heritage of psalm singing testify that it was customary to use this psalm when traveling, especially to church events such as worship, camps, and conferences. Consider putting a psalter in your glove compartment and singing this and other psalms on your travels!

Personal Testimony (vv. 1-2). The psalmist is in the depths (71:20) or in the valley (23:4) and looks to the mountains for help (v. 1). He looks to the mountains because the One who made them is surely able to help him (vv. 1-2; 123:1; 125:1-2). Since the Creator is also his covenant Lord (vv. 2, 4), He is willing to help (Exod. 6:7). See God’s works and know that He is able to help you; hear God’s word and know that He is willing to do so (Rom. 1:20; 8:32).

Authoritative Encouragement (vv. 3-8). Because of the Lord’s help to him (vv. 1-2), the psalmist may be giving assurance to others that the Lord will help them as well (vv. 3-8). But the theme of keeping is so strong (vv. 3,4,5,7,7,8) that it seems to echo the priestly blessing (Num. 6:22-27) and so constitute an authoritative proclamation of God’s favor on the pilgrim (vv. 3-8) who is looking to God for this (vv. 1-2). This pastoral blessing to the traveling sheep is presented in a series of pairs that give a sense of the comprehensive care of God.

Slumber & Sleep (vv. 3-4): The Lord will not let his foot slip as he travels (v. 3; 91:12). That He would get drowsy is abhorrent (v. 3) and that He would actually sleep on duty is impossible (v. 4).

Keeper & Shade (vv. 3-8, 5): The Lord will keep him not just as he begins his trip, but throughout until he arrives safely (Josh. 24:17; Phil. 1:6). He will give him protection (shade, v. 5) in all the most important ways (right hand, v. 5).

Sun & Moon(v. 6; 91:5-6): the traveler will be shaded from sunstroke and he will not be moonstruck. He will have the Lord for a cloud by day and a fire by night (Exod. 13:21). He will be protected from all dangers: seen and unseen, in the face and behind the back, true enemies and false friends. The Lord may spare the traveler from these things or He may bring him through them but, in any case, he will arrive in the heavenly Jerusalem safe and sound at last (Phil. 1:6; Rev. 3:21).

All & Soul (v. 7): the Lord will ultimately deliver him from all evil (v. 7; 91:10) in his whole person, body and spirit (v. 7; 1 Thes. 5:23; Gen. 2:7).

Out & In (v. 8; 91:11): as the pilgrim goes out on the road each day and as he comes in from the road each night, the Lord will shepherd him (Num. 27:17).

Now & Forever (v. 8): all these things are true not just on this trip, but every day, in every place in every thing (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5).

Look Up! Look to God with confident expectation no matter what the road before you involves. As you come to Him in Jesus and by the Spirit, hear His authoritative blessing, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20) and know that “He Himself has said ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5). Know that as the Creator of the mountains He is able to help you and as your covenant Lord He is eager to do so. Be assured that, as He has saved you, He will keep and protect you always. Look up to God alone for everything, always!

—Pastor Kit Swartz

Comments welcome at oswegorpc@hotmail.com. Audio files and outlines of sermons on these psalms are available at reformedvoice.com/oswegorpc