The Hills
A Look at Psalm 121
During Bible times the Jews usually made three annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the sacred feasts. Eventually these pilgrims developed a tradition of singing songs and hymns as they were ascending toward Jerusalem. These songs are a collection of 15 short songs in the book of Psalms 120-134. They are often known as “Psalms for Ascending” or in the KJV “Psalm of Degrees.” Let’s look at Psalm 121 today. This is a favorite, often quoted psalm. The psalmist begins in verse 1 by raising the issue of the help that we have available to get us through this life.
The Source of Our Help
Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills: from whence comes my help?” We often hear people answer that our help comes from the hills, but why or how could our help be derived from hills or mountains? So what really is the meaning of this passage?
One answer would be a statement. Our help comes from the hills, but again why? How? Since when? Who derives help from the hills?
A second answer is an affirmative answer. Our help comes from the hills, from Mt. Zion in particular, where God dwells, a holy hill. Psalm 121:2a or 125:1-2.
Yet a third answer is our help comes from the Lord, not from any hill because God does not reside in the hills, not even in Mt. Zion or any other earthly hill. Psalm 121:2 “My help comes from the Lord Who made Heaven and earth.”
Our help comes from the Lord because He transcends creation, meaning He is above and beyond any hill or mountain or any other place on earth, 121:2, and He never sleeps 121:3-4.
The Nature of Our Help
God Provides Guidance.
Psalm 121:3a “He will not allow your foot to be moved.” This implies keeping your footing steady and stable on your path, even keeping you from a mis-step or going in the wrong direction. Remember this is a pilgrim song, and the path to Jerusalem was hard, dangerous, and not very smooth. Some roads, such as the road to Jericho, if you had one slip, you were gone. So the mountains were not a source of help, but rather of danger. This implies keeping your footing steady and stable on your path, even keeping you from a mis-step or going in the wrong direction. And this principle applies not merely to God’s guidance on the road, but more broadly to all of life.
How does God Guide Us?
By keeping our focus on Him.
By casting our burdens on Him.
God Shelters Us.
121:5b-6 “The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.” Whether day or night, we can run to Christ and find refuge in Him. He will protect us from the heat, and the cold, and the rain, and the snow and ice. All of these all represent the various trials and dangers of life. Psalm 91:1-4 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” We have a shelter under the shadow of the One Who is truly Almighty.
God Protects Us.
Psalm 121:3-5 “He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.” The Lord protects (keeps) us from all evil, in all places, and at all times. He protects our lives, our very souls.
Help from the Hills? Not So!
Our help comes from the Lord God of Heaven who guides us, shelters us, and protects us throughout our lives and for all eternity. Truly in Christ we have everlasting security.
To hear the full sermon on this psalm, click here: “Psalm 121: The Hills”