Psalm 121

A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Key Verse:
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

Key Observation:
Under the watch care of God is a marvelous place to be!

Memory Verse:
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Devotion:
McGee: “This psalm is the next “song of degrees” or song of ascents as the pilgrim travels to Jerusalem to worship. We had a glimpse into his home situation which he had left as he started on his way. Now in this psalm he can see in the distance the hills of Jerusalem.” What a poetical description of those pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem!

McGee also points out the simple elegance of the psalm for pilgrims. Notice that:
1) they were looking to all the hills surrounding Jerusalem, so they see God as their help.
2) they had to find a winding path through the mountains, so the promise: “he will not let your foot slip”.
3) they camped in the hills away from city protection, so the promise: “he will watch over your life”.
4) they walked through the hot sun, so the promise: “the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”
5) as travelers, they needed the watch care of the Lord all the time, so the promise: “he will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore”.

I notice that “watch” is a keyword for the psalm. Isn’t it comforting to know that the Lord is watching over our coming and going all the time?



McGee, J. Vernon (1990). Thru the Bible 1-5 (5 Volume Set) (Kindle Locations 51138-51140). Grupo Nelson. Kindle Edition.

God Leads Us Along

1. In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.

2. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

3. Though sorrows befall us and Satan oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

4. Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity's day,
God leads His dear children along.

Chorus:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Lyrics: George A. Young