Psalm 121
This Psalm is one of the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134) which were sung by the pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem for the Passover. God had promised those who traveled to the Passover that their homes would not be destroyed nor would they be assaulted on the way.
Psalm 121 begins with a very important question: From were does our help come? The people living in Jerusalem might look to the higher hills surrounding the city and think that they could protect them from enemies. At times, some kings of Jerusalem made alliances with pagan kings hoping that they would help in any war against an aggressor.
The Psalmist answers his own question in verse 2: “My help comes from the Lord.” But how does the Lord God help if He does rain blessings from heaven? God hides Himself behind the farmer and grocer, the distributers and the truck drivers, to give us what we need. The God who created heaven and earth also has power to help His children.
Verses three and four give another reason why we can trust God—he never sleeps. Through His Word God is always present with us to strengthen our faith and guide us. These verses also tell us that God is always alert as He guards and keeps “Israel,” that is, those who believe in the Messiah. This means that we can pray to God at any time of the day or night and God is able to hear our prayers and answer them.
Where does our help come from? Verses five and six state, “The Lord is your keeper.” God is pictured as a “shade” that wards of the heat of the sun. For in the land of Israel, the sun’s rays were intense and not always beneficial. The rays of the sun and moon are representative of all dangers that may occur by day and night. Against those dangers, the ever-watchful “eye” of God grants protection to His children. That protection was especially important to the pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.
Verses seven and eight form a concluding promise to all those who trust in God. “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil.” This sounds contradictory to other passages that speak of the troubles believers experience in this world. God allows such troubles to strengthen our faith and our devotion to the Lord. But even amid trials and persecutions that believers may suffer, God still preserves the faith of His children through His Word and Sacraments. That protection is given in time and in eternity.
From whence does our help come? Not from this world, not from a huge bank account, not from medicine or philosophy. Our help comes from God, who never sleeps, who keeps us from every spiritual harm, who preserves our soul through Word and Sacrament, who guides the believer to His heavenly home. Trust in God alone, who gives us all good things.