Psalm 121
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Christian Standard Bible Psalm 121
1 I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
5 The LORD protects you;
the LORD is a shelter right by your side.,
6 The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
7 The LORD will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
8 The LORD will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.
Intro
Intro
Students who don’t need help.
What do we depend on in times of need? Who do we run to when things are tough? Our own strength? Great men and women around us?
When things are good, how often do we think about God? Or, is he the one we go to only when things are hard?
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 121
We must see all our help in God; from him we must expect it, in his own way and time. This psalm teaches us to comfort ourselves in the Lord, when difficulties and dangers are greatest
Primary Contribution of the Psalms:
Primary Contribution of the Psalms:
To model what a God-centered view of life is like.
Therfore ask, “What does this psalm tell us about how God’s presence and work connects with our deepest concerns and emotions in the midst of difficult or joyous circumstances?”
A song of ascent
A song of ascent
2nd of 15 psalms of ascent. Going up to Jerusalem no matter where people are located.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 121
Psalm 121 is a part of the pilgrimage psalms intended to be sung during pilgrimage to Jerusalem
The Keeper of Israel would keep him at all times on his journey. The successful journey becomes a parable for the whole of one’s life, in which the faithful can be confident of God’s tireless care.
CSB Study Bible: Notes Psalm 121
In this psalm the writer exploited the broad semantic range of the Hebrew verb shamar (“guard, keep, protect, observe”) using the term six times (vv. 3, 4, 5, 7[2×], 8). The CSB consistently translates it as “protect” or “Protector” in this psalm.
I had to use my 1/2 a semester of Hebrew.
Personal Question and Answer establishing his help comes from Yahweh
Personal Question and Answer establishing his help comes from Yahweh
The Lord as Creator
Christian Standard Bible Psalm 121
1 I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Central Idea: The Psalmist’s help will come directly from the Lord.
1. MOUNTAINS
1. MOUNTAINS
Maybe danger in the hills, hills as a place of hiding or protection, maybe God’s dwelling place, a symbol of God’s stability and deliverance, or even that ANE gods often dwelled in mountain tops. Others expect help in the hills but not the psalmist. All of these could prompt the question concerning the source of help.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 121
The psalmist seems to be looking to the hills so that he can consider whether they will be a source of help to him.
Beyond the hills to the universe, and beyond the universe to the MAKER.
However, his help comes directly from the Lord.
TO LIFE UP THE EYES: almost always a sign of desire and hope, or neutral. Never associated with fear. Therefore, more likely looks through the hills as symbols to the person of the covenant God himself.
There is no one in whom we may be more confident as the giver of help.
2. Maker of Heaven and Earth
2. Maker of Heaven and Earth
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 115:12–15
The title Maker of heaven and earth points to His sovereign work in Creation (this title is also used of God in Job 4:17; 32:22; 35:10; Pss. 121:2; 124:8; 134:3; 146:6; Ecc. 11:5; Jer. 10:16).
The New Bible Commentary Psalm 121. Unknown Perils, Known Securities
the LORD is the Maker of heaven and earth: every threat arises and every journey is made in his world where he rules supreme
His greatness and power are a ground of trust.
God is willing to be our help. We usually think of it as we are his helpers.
Christ is our helper
Christ is our helper
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
For everything was created by him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together.
This is a way to show that Jesus is God. Jesus does things that only God can do.
God creates: Gen 1:1, Isaiah 45:18
Abraham Kuyper quote
How does God’s sovereignty affect you in your day-to-day decisions?
Where do you look for help?
Where do you look for help?
Addresses the audience and gives an assurance of God’s protection
Addresses the audience and gives an assurance of God’s protection
This includes the psalmist and anyone else who would hear the psalm.
Yahweh never gets tired, He is vigilant to protect his people
Yahweh never gets tired, He is vigilant to protect his people
The Lord as redeemer and covenant Lord
Christian Standard Bible Psalm 121
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 121
He will not allow your foot to be moved An image of stability. In the OT, losing one’s footing is an expression for disaster.
At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!”
Faithlife Study Bible (Chapter 121)
The psalmist envisions day-and-night protection. Unlike many gods of the ancient Near East who were believed to descend to the underworld at night, Yahweh is constantly available and vigilant.
Verse 4 repeats to emphasize God’s protection.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 121:3–4
He will not be indifferent to or disregard them.The Lord will be alert in protecting His own.
Protection at all times, day and night
Protection at all times, day and night
The Lord as companion
Christian Standard Bible Psalm 121
5 The LORD protects you;
the LORD is a shelter right by your side.,
6 The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
Refreshment and protection from the heat.
BY YOUR RIGHT SIDE: A position of honor and influence
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 121
In the harsh climate of the ancient Near East, shade from the heat could be the difference between life and death. The psalmist transforms this reality into an image of total protection.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 121:5–6
The sun and the moon stand for dangers that occur in the day and in the night.
Protection in daily life as you move. The Lord isn’t stationary but present with your everywhere.
Protection in daily life as you move. The Lord isn’t stationary but present with your everywhere.
This theology of Creator, Redeemer and Companion leads to keeping from all evil for the whole person in every activity, for all time, starting now.
Christian Standard Bible Psalm 121
7 The LORD will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
8 The LORD will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.
Moves from immediate preoccupations to cover the whole of existence.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 121
Yahweh’s protection moves with the psalmist; Yahweh is not just a hideout, but a bodyguard.
Unlike teachings that your angel won’t go into movie theaters.
Emily had the belief that demons would stay out of churches.
PROTECT YOU FROM ALL HARM
PROTECT YOU FROM ALL HARM
This does not imply a cushioned life, but a well-armed one. This is not a protection against suffering. In our journey we are to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus.
Psalm 23:4 tells that there will be shadows and dark valleys, but we can take it.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Why does God allow evil? 5 reasons
Why does God allow evil? 5 reasons
The Fall: The world isn’t how God designed it to be. Sin has consequences.
Free Will: Making choices is good, and this includes choices of evil.
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,
But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”
Greater Good: Despite present evil, there is a greater purpose.
Joseph in Egypt.
You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.
Jesus’s death on the cross
Soul-Making: Necessary for the development of human souls.
Struggles and trials form our characters.
And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Reveal God’s attributes: His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and power are only seen in a world with evil.
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered. “This came about so that God’s works might be displayed in him.
COMING AND GOING: this is everything. Maybe first applied to the journey, but “now and forever” caused it to extend to all of life. This includes the details and not just the big picture.
Protection Now
Protection Now
We pray and see God’s protection and blessing
We are unaware of his protection and blessing
The child at the playground not realizing he’s only alive because of his parents.
Kid says, “I’ve done it all by myself!” We celebrate that but realize how wrong they are. The goal would be to grow up and be thankful for the rolls people play.
We are angry when he doesn’t protect us
The kid who doesn’t get what he wants and complains that mom and dad never buy him anything!
We are completely unaware of all the ways God has protected us.
Kevin Harris Story
Protection Forever
Protection Forever
Clearest gospel now. Now and forever.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to bear witness. Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you. You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. By your endurance, gain your lives.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Poetic Devices
Poetic Devices
Two polar opposites to represent the whole. “Heavens and earth” is creator of all things. “By day or by night” is all the time. “Your going out and your coming in” is for all your activities. “Sun and Moon.” “Now and forevermore.”
The New Bible Commentary Psalm 121. Unknown Perils, Known Securities
The perils are unknown but the security is certain.
The New Bible Commentary Psalm 121. Unknown Perils, Known Securities
The Creator is also the Redeemer and the Companion
Christian Standard Bible (1 Samuel Chapter 2)
9 He guards the steps of his faithful ones,
but the wicked perish in darkness,
for a person does not prevail by his own strength.
Response
Response
Primary Focus:
How is God at work with your deepest concerns in the midst of good or bad?
Secondary Focus:
To give us models for worshipping God
What does this psalm tell us about how we should pray, praise, and generally express our hearts desires to God in individual and corporate worship?
One function of worship is to renew the worshiper’ sense of confidence and loyalty toward the Lord.
Our anxieties come only as we lose sight of the greatness and goodness of our God.
Trust God in the details of life, not only with the big picture.
We often look to the evils in life and ask God, “Why?” At the same time, we rarely see the ways God protects us. Think of a child who complains that their parents never do anything for them.
Ending Prayer
Ending Prayer
Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
