Meditation

Hi there,

For the rest of this week, we are remaining in the Psalms, working carefully through Psalm 121.

This, the second of the Songs of Ascents, was and is traditionally sung by Jewish pilgrims traveling up to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals.

Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Tabernacles. No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed (Deuteronomy 16:16).

The alternative names given to this collection are also helpful in understanding their purpose and effect. They are variously known as Gradual Psalms, Fifteen Psalms, Songs of Degrees, Songs of Steps, songs for going up to worship, or Pilgrim Songs.

The city of Jerusalem is situated on a high hill, and as they looked up towards their destination, the pilgrims sang these songs on their patient and determined “ascent” on the uphill road to the city. These 15 psalms are a picture of the life of faith and are typically hopeful, as today's lines bear witness.

Today's text is Psalm 121:1-2. Today's text is in black, and I have provided the rest of the psalm for context. We'll complete it during the rest of the week.

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.

Praise the Lord.

Encouragement

These songs encourage us by affirming our identity as God's children and show us how to express our longing for God's presence in our lives, just as the Jewish pilgrims longed for His presence in Jerusalem.

God is faithful, and we can trust him to guide us on our journey step by step. Today we can be encouraged to persevere in our faith and trust in God's unfailing love and protection. He is watching over us as we write.

​
​Andy

God's word in your hand

This accurate rendition of Psalm 121 is set to an ancient melody

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