Dave's Diary

This week we are journeying with Psalm 121 throughout the week. The aim is to memorise and meditate on Psalm 121 in light of a different additional Psalm each day, so that the Word of God may come alive and do its work in us.

Daily Readings: Psalm 85 & Psalm 121

Today you’re invited to memorise and meditate on Psalm 121:1-2

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains –
    where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.“

First take time to commit it to memory and then ponder it throughout the day in light of Psalm 85, and particularly v.7:
“Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.“

Psalm 121 is a “Psalm of Ascents”, which means that it was sung by faithful Jews on their pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem, to which they were headed to worship in the House of the Lord. For many pilgrims this was an arduous and dangerous journey through wastelands, wilderness and treacherous mountain roads. Danger lurked in the form of exhaustion, heat, thirst, hunger, wild animals and bandits (to mention but a few). To keep their spirits up and their hearts set on God, the pilgrims would sing the Psalms of Ascent aloud and responsively as they journeyed. For example, when using Psalm 121 a leader would sing out, ““I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?“, and immediately the rest of the travelling party would reply, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” What wonderful encouragement they must have drawn from this great truth that the Maker of heaven and earth was with them to help them.

Psalm 85:7 adds to our understanding of this great truth by it’s beautiful prayer: “Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.” God is not only with us, the pilgrims would have realised. God also loves us with an unfailing love and, out of that love, He applies His great power to save us from all danger and destruction. Perhaps the alternate response we can sing as we combine these two Psalms today is, “My help comes from the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth – the Lover of my soul.” Let’s marvel today that the All-Powerful, All-Wise, All-Knowing, Ever-Living God loves us with an unfailing love. He is with us and He is mighty to save!

Lord, I marvel at Your perfect love and kindness to me. You are with me today, and I set my hope on Your unfailing love and salvation. Amen.