Psalm 121 is often known as the “traveler’s psalm”.  It is also part of the Song of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), which visitors to Jerusalem recited as they climbed the fifteen stairs to the temple. It is said that David Livingstone read this Psalm with his father and sister as they worshipped before he set out for Africa in 1840.

This is a beautiful psalm and carries many reminders to us of God’s love and care for us. Here are six things we can learn about God from Psalm 121.

We see that God is our helper.  The psalmist says, “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills”.  He is intentional about looking to the hills, because he knows his help comes from there (Jerusalem), from the Lord.  God is our helper, and He is near us.   

Why can we trust God to be our helper?  Because he is our creator, our maker.  He is our creator, and He is the creator of Heaven and earth.  I have a bead bracelet I got at Hobby Lobby of the solar system.  I got it to remind me that if God can create all of this and more, then nothing I face is too hard for him.  He has unlimited power.  The psalmist looked to the hills, then he looked higher—to the Lord who made Heaven and earth. 

We then see that God will not allow our foot to be moved because He keeps us.  He is our keeper. God doesn’t slumber or sleep.  What a wonderful thing.  We lived in a neighborhood in Kenya where we had to have a night guard, someone who was paid to stay up at night and patrol the compound, to watch for thieves.  We could rest easier because we knew someone was up and keeping watch.  In the same way God watches over us as a watchman patrols a home or a city.  We can have confidence in Him.  He does not sleep or slumber.  He keeps us and holds us fast, physically and spiritually.

Then we see that the Lord is our shade.  I know many of you may live in climates where it gets very hot, and the sun is direct and intense. Maybe you live in a desert area or near the equator.  The sun can be brutal. God again promises that He will care for us by being our shade.  His shade protects and refreshes us.  He keeps watch by night, and is our shade by day, shielding us from the heat of the sun.

God preserves us day and night. If God is on guard, nothing can harm us.  God preserves his people, He preserves our souls.  Our souls are safe with Him. 

And last He guards our going out and coming in.  From birth to death, God guards us.  From this time forth and forevermore, which is a long time.  No matter where we go in this world, God is with us.  He is our helper, creator, keeper, shade, preserver and guard. 

Next time you travel, read this psalm to be reminded of all the ways that God is with you and caring for you.

Pam Konnerup