If you’re facing the loss of a loved one, a comforter has inevitably shared this psalm’s verses of encouragement with you. This brief passage points you to the help of God. The majestic Creator is personal and keeps you throughout your life.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
David begins with a declaration. He proclaims that he lifts his gaze to the hills looking for help from the Lord. He announces his dependence. His declaration goes further to describe the God to whom he looks. This is the God who is the creator of the heavens and the earth.
Who is this God and what is he like? He is our creator and our keeper.
“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3
Our God is trustworthy. He is a firm foundation to help us stand. When in need, place your feet on his firm support. You will not slip.
We need sleep, but he never does. No matter what brokenness you face, he will never allow your foot to be moved. Your faith in him is well-founded.
“Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4
This keeper of Israel, the Lord of Israel, does not sleep, he does not slumber. He is eternally awake. David seeks to be very clear and leave no doubt. No sleep. No slumber. The Lord is the keeper of Israel.
But, not Israel alone.
“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:5-6
The Bible is a personal book. The message of the Bible is for every person. The Lord is the keeper of his people, Israel, and he is your keeper.
Your keeper.
He provides protection, even to the detail of shade from the elements. The Lord protects from the sun by day and the moon by night. His keeping is all-encompassing. He considers our needs. We learn to lift our eyes to our God who keeps us.
Lift your eyes.
“The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.” Psalm 121:7
Beyond our need for shade or protection, the Lord is a God of holiness and keeps us from evil. He cares for all aspects of life. As 2 Peter 2:3-4 states, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
The Lord keeps us regarding everything pertaining to life and godliness.
“Faith carries present loads and meets present assaults and feeds on present promises, and commits the future to a faithful God.” Theodore Cuyler, God’s Light on Dark Clouds
In life and godliness, where does our help come from? It comes from the Lord—our creator and keeper. Throughout all of life—even in loss—our Lord is our keeper. In our going and coming now and forevermore, we lift our eyes to our creator and keeper.
“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8
Read the E-book Facing Loss: Lessons of Hope from My Unwanted Journey
True. The Lord is my keeper. Thanks for your weekly posts.
Thank you, Lynn! He is, indeed, our keeper on mountains and in valleys. Praising him along with you for his goodness and grace on our journey.