Psalm 121

It’s been a few months now that we were sitting in my office when a gentlemen came into my office to suggest a certain Documentary to me.

Somehow we had gotten onto the topic of documentaries, not sure how exactly, honestly that we got down this road, possibly from talking about an enjoyment of hiking, adrenaline, or something of the sort.

He mentions to me this documentary called “Free Solo”. He tells me, if you want to have a good scare watching something… watch this documentary. So, of course, out of my seeking an adrenaline rush through somebody else on my couch, I watch it.

Climber Alex Honnold has been dreaming of free-soloing the 3,000 feet (900 m) rock wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, a feat no one has performed.

His choice of big wall climbing route on El Capitan is called Freerider. Freerider is graded at 5.13a (7c+) in difficulty, and no climber has ever completed a big-wall free solo at such a grade of difficulty in rock climbing history.

In the summer of 2016, Alex and Tommy Caldwell go climbing in Morocco to prepare for his El Capitan free solo. The film crew also prepares, discussing where to place cameras to best capture Alex’s climb while minimizing distractions and interference, and also the ethical dilemma of documenting this climb, knowing Alex may die on camera. At some point, Alex accepts an offer to receive an MRI in order to understand his brain's response to fear, and the results show that there is little or no activity in his amygdala in response to average stimuli.

Alex and Tommy rappel down Freerider on El Capitan, and Alex outlines his route, discussing the areas about which he is apprehensive.

Both the crew and Sanni suggest abandoning the plan, and Alex admits he does not want his friends to see him die if he falls while free soloing.

Alex tries the first time but bails on the climb, after not feeling right.

After giving up on his plan to free solo El Capitan that season, Alex and Sanni buy a house in Las Vegas. Then, on June 3, 2017, Alex again attempts a free solo climb of Freerider. Sanni leaves just before he starts, expressing her apprehensions in an interview.

The film crew watches nervously as Alex makes his way through each of the most difficult parts of the climb, and one cameraman turns away several times, as he cannot bear to watch.

Alex completes the free solo in 3 hours and 56 minutes.

When a person looks at mountains, they can represent something different to everybody.

This mysterious object in front of us.

To the Israelites,

they would have maybe represented this anticipation of arrival for those traveling to Jerusalem.

To some, it may represent something of beauty and peace, in thinking of God’s miraculous creation.

To some it may represent shelter or a refuge.

Those around Jerusalem would have maybe seen their mountains also as this picture of the Lord’s protection of Israel.

And yet still to some, mountains may be viewed as a sense of danger that exist along the journey that they are on.

In the mind of Alex Honnold, after the scan of his brain, they could tell that he had zero fear of the thought of a mountain. Zero emotion to what the mountain could mean in a high chance of death.

This is not the same for everybody. Especially when thinking about what the mountains may have in them…

A Young Pilgrim’s Question & A Confident Assurance. (Vv. 1-2)

Psalm 121:1 ESV

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

To some of these Israelites traveling to Jerusalem, I think there is a mixture of emotions, some obviously of the arrival to Jerusalem but also this understanding that the hills (mountains) were part of the problem.

There is this sense of fear to this intimidating obstacle.

It is also a place of danger

The hills sheltered bandits.

They were the home to pagan gods who “lived” among the high places (Jer.3:23)

In today’s terms,

We may not look at travel in this sense anymore. In seeing actual physical mountains as this threat to our existence, this threat to our relationship with our Lord from a false god.

But there are certainly things within our lives that could relate to what the Psalmist is getting at here and in our own way say to ourselves, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains,”…

Something as simple as…Walking through a rough part of the city.

Trials and suffering.

Disease.

Disasters.

Loss of job.

Uncertainty in life.

We might imagine our missionary friends, or just Christian brothers and sisters in general praying this Psalm in regions where there is a hostility toward the Gospel. Places like North Korea or Saudi Arabia.

We may be more like this Psalmist in this comment than we might admit.

In what ways have we, in our hearts made this same comment.

The Psalmist though, realizes that He does not have the personal resources to meet this challenge and that he needs help!

And so, he correctly answers this rhetorical questions correctly with a great simple theological answer…

Psalm 121:2 (ESV)

2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

As we read this answer, you may be reminded of the very beginning of the Apostles Creed which begins with

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. (Apostles Creed)

This is a Creed that believers would recite for hundreds of years reminding themselves of the truths of God’s Word beginning with this understanding that we believe in

God, who is the Creator of all things and therefore reigns over all things!

This includes any made up pagan gods. Baal, Asherah, or the moon priestess.

This also includes the possible suffering by our brothers and sisters in Christ in places of the world where there is hostility to the Gospel.

GOD REIGNS OVER ALL THINGS. HE IS SOVERIGN OVER ALL THINGS.

Disease.

Disasters.

Loss of job.

Uncertainty in life.

Many people who don’t necessarily know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob may certainly know that there is a God, but have no relationship with Him.

They may even say in times of need, “GOD HELP ME!”

These people don’t know God relationally. They just cry out in a sense of desperation.

“I don’t know how to help this, but God, if you’re there please help me.”

This is the same as seeking a sign as in John 6.

This says something about the human nature that we see in Romans 1.

Some Christians even will say that know God. That they know Him as their Redeemer through Jesus Christ.

But functionally, when mountains stand in front of them, they operate in a pagan sort of way.

But for those who know God as the “Maker of heaven and earth.”

In our crisis, in our time of need, we work this theology and understanding of God into our hearts and minds. (He is CREATOR OF ALL THINGS AND HE RIEGNS OVER ALL THINGS)

We allow this to make our hearts leap beyond the mountains and into this dwelling on our Maker.

He as our living help.

Our primary, personal, wise and immeasurable source of help.

An Elder’s Counsel: Trust in the Lord’s Keeping. (Vv. 3-8)

This next section could be a few different perspectives or thoughts.

One thought is that this is an internal conversation going on. (We do this all the time, how many times do you feel throughout the week that you’re having a conversation with yourself?)

The other thoughts is that verses 1-2 is a younger, timid maybe less wise of a pilgrim, and then in verses 3-8, we hear from an older, more confident and wise elder pilgrim.

The thought behind this is because of the change of pronouns from the first to second person.

So, this person could have been perhaps a priest, who is expounding on the correct theology already stated by the younger pilgrim.

It seems that this is the route many of the commentaries lean to.

One cool theme that we see through these verses is the word שָׁמַר (Shamar).

Some bibles may translate this to protect, or preserve, or keep.

6 TIMES WE SEE THE ELDER REITERATE THIS REALITY.

We see that in the midst of this huge worry, this weariness of the soul, this uncertainty of what lies ahead,

>>>>>the elder really drives into this young pilgrims mind and heart this idea of the Lord KEEPING, WATCHING OVER, PRESERVING HIS PEOPLE.

What a wonderful God we serve!

In that not only did He create us, not only does He have mercy on us in not carrying out the full extent of just judgment that He has the right to do.

But for those whom He called as His people, He also KEEPS them, HE WATCHES OVER THEM, HE PRESERVES THEM.

What a merciful and GRACIOUS GOD we serve!

There is this sense of God being our GOOD SHEPHERD in the WATCH-CARE that He provides for His people.

So, as this elder expounds on the keeping of God, let us hear this expanding of the promise of God…

Psalm 121:3–8 (ESV)

3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

THE LORD’S WATCH-CARE IS STABLE & CONSTANT (VV. 3,4)

As we are ascending into this mountains with uncertainty, it is never a good thing to be doing this with a timidity.

A few weeks ago we took our family to Glorieta Adventure camps for a family camp. We went hiking with the girls to a spot called the lookout. On our way back we had to go down near this trail that went right on the edge of this mountain. By the time we realized that we could have gone another way it was too late. Adrian and I had to talk around girls through this part of the trail making sure they didn’t slip. Their timid walking was not a good thing. It threatened their stance and their footing. They needed more confidence in their step. That confidence came from their mother and father.

The same goes for us as we are ascending under the Lord’s watch-care.

His protection involves Him holding us up and keeping us from falling with His eternal promises.

NOT IN THE WORLDLY WAY OF HELICOPTER PARENTS OR LAWNMOWER PARENTS. (Not allowing their children to experience any pain or difficulty.) IN THIS LIFE YOU WILL KNOW SUFFERING AND DIFFICULTY. ESPECIALLY AS HIS FOLLOWERS.

In Psalm 73:2 Asaph wrote

Psalm 73:2 ESV

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.

The way that the Lord help Asaph up, the way in which He did not let His foot move, was an eternal perspective. An understanding that this life is not all we have. There is more to come.

Psalm 73:23–28 ESV

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

The Lord will not let us slip in the sense that He will keep a right, eternal, God size perspective in front of us.

We are also reminded about God’s NEVER CEASING PROTECTION.

The Lord does not sleep or slumber but is always alert to the needs of His people.

This is in straight contrast to the pagan gods who are supposedly housed in these mountains, who in 1 Kings 18:27, Elijah mocks because of lack of activity saying,

1 Kings 18:27 (ESV)

27 … “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob doesn’t nap.

In fact He is never sleepy or weary.

He is ALWAYS ON TASK..

He is always being a good Shepherd watching over His flock.

THE LORD’S WATCH-CARE IS COMFORTING (VV. 5,6)

The Lord’s watch-care is also comforting with an eternal covering that can be provided by nothing else in this world except the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

He shades us on our right and on our left from the scorching heat of the day and from the cold elements in the night on our ascending way to glory.

This isn’t a “FEEL GOOD” comfort as much as it is an essential comfort.

We have all felt this relief as we have come under shade during a hot day, or as we have come into shelter in the midst of a freezing night.

HIS PRESENCE, His Word, HIs promises, His faithfulness to His Word and His promises

IS WHAT OVERCOMES OUR NIGHT TIME PROBLEMS.

Both the ones we know about and also the ones we don’t.

We must trust in Him to protect us ultimately from all the monsters of the night.

There is no threat that catches Him unaware.

THE LORD’S WATCH-CARE IS COMPREHENSIVE (VV. 7,8)

This watch-care, this protection, this preservation is comprehensive.

The Lord will protect you from

ALL HARM

Your whole life

You’re coming and going

Both now and forever!

Again, this is NOT in a sense that we will be protected from any and all harm here on this earth,

it DOESN’T mean that we will be kept from all kinds of evil and live a cushioned life like the progressive Christian will tell you, or the name it and claim it theology will tell you.

It’s to say that “even when we go through the darkest valley,” we can fear no evil because our Shepherd is with us (Ps. 23).

It’s to say that the expectation for the dark valley is there,

but we will be able to face it because of the fact that we are well armed with the rod and staff of our great God and King watching over us.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s an external foe or internal fear, we can be confident that the Lord is protecting us.

I love how one writer compares this to Luke 21:16-18 where Jesus tells His followers about the signs of the end of the age.

Jesus tells them.

Luke 21:16–17 ESV

16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.

BUT, in Luke 21:18

Luke 21:18–19 ESV

18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Jesus shares of God’s minutest care while also showing this deepest fulfillment for God’s adopted sons and daughters in the midst of hatred and martyrdom.

The elder finishes up reminding the younger of THIS REALITY that the WATCH-CARE’S WARRANTY WILL NOT LAPSE.

You don’t have to recommit every 10 years to a new warranty plan.

No, No, this is a CONTINUAL protective care.

In you’re coming and your going.

It’s hard really to decide which half of this is the more encouraging.

The fact that it starts ‘now’, or that it runs on, not to the end of time but without end; LIKE GOD HIMSELF.

HE IS OUR PORTION FOREVER.

The Lord is going to see fit that you make it to your heavenly destination.

And on that day God’s Word says that He will receive you into His glory.

Let us remember Psalm 121 in the midst of all of life’s trials, sufferings, uncertainty of life.

Let us remember that God is our שָׁמַר (Shamar). Our keeper, protector, our preserver.

IN THE MIDST OF LIFE’S GREATEST CHALLENGES.

Conclusion

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever.

Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that had struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred.

As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll— Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know It is well, it is well with my soul.

Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives.

There will always be storms to face, and sometimes there will be tragedies.

But with faith in a loving God and with trust in His divine watch-care, we can confidently say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE OF HIM KEEPING US UNTIL THE END.