Songs of the Great Ascent - God Our Keeper

Psalm 121

Psalm 121 continues where Psalm 120 ends. We still live in this world, but we must recognize more clearly that it is God’s world. It does not belong to the people, pressures, threats, and interests that seek to wear us down. In his world, we live under the shelter of his outstretched hand, so we can sing the songs of Zion with peace of mind.

There is no mistaking the keynote of Psalm 121; it is sounded six times: “he who keeps you (v3) … who keeps Israel (v4) … your keeper (v5) … will keep (v7) ... will keep (v7) … will keep (v8). That’s it! That’s what this psalm is all about! God is our Keeper!

Psalm 121 is sometimes called “the traveler’s psalm.” As one writer observes, “It gives us not only the prayer to God of an ancient Israelite facing such a pilgrimage but also the promises from God.”

Psalm 120 sets the stage for the journey that was to be taken. The psalmist there established that he was fed up with the ways of the world and needed to be in the presence of God. He was for peace, but he had been dwelling among those who hate peace. So now he begins a journey to the city of peace, but it will mean passing through the lands of violence.

As the psalmist begins his journey, he sees that the road ahead will not be easy. Mountain ranges and dangerous terrain lie between him and Jerusalem. Who will protect him? Who will keep him safe? Who will help him? The answer comes in verse 2: “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” The Lord, who made the hills, will safely lead him through them.

The same is true for us on our journey. We are making a pilgrimage of the soul, and a whole host of barriers would threaten our progress; the world, the flesh, and the devil have no interest in making it an easy journey for us. The way of discipleship is not broad and smooth, nor did God promise it would be easy. Jesus said, “Take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). In other words, following Him to heaven will mean sacrifice, difficulty, and ultimately even death. This is not only death to self but also actual physical death, which is now our entrance into glory. It’s not an easy road.

But then comes Psalm 121 to cheer us on our way, to nerve us for the journey, to put steel in our spine and strengthen our weak knees by the promise that our help comes from God, the Maker of heaven and earth (v2).

All of this, of course, is a confession of faith. It echoes the great “But even if not” of Daniel 3:18. We live by faith, not by sight, sustained by the sure hope of what we do not yet see (Rom. 8:24–25). Christians face many hardships, including pressure, persecution, trial, and death. Yet God’s promise still stands: “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt. 10:30), and “not a hair of your head will perish” (Luke 21:18). The Lord is the one who keeps us, and we are his kept people. This is the faith by which we walk the pilgrim way.

Join us this Sunday as we look at the second pilgrim song to learn about the God our Keeper!

By His Grace,

Pastor Wayne