Psalm 121

As we are making our way through the summer, we can find comfort in the book of Psalms. Many of us carefully lock the doors as we secure our homes for the night. If we are getting ready to go away on vacation, we might ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on the house. Safety and security are common concerns. We long for protection.

The Psalmist echoed this desire that also existed in ancient Israel in the words of a question:

I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? (Psalm 121:1)

The question was then answered with a reflection on God’s care:

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

I love how the Psalmist then recounts the extent of God’s protective care. The Lord will not slumber or sleep. (That’s good, because the nighttime is when I often feel the least secure.) The Lord will protect me from the forces of nature, being a shade from the sun. The Lord will protect us from evil, and the Lord will keep our very lives.

And it ends beyond where I can even worry for today:

The Lord will keep our going out and our coming in from this time forth, and forever more. (Psalm 121:8)

With God watching over me, I feel pretty secure.

Prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And I trust Your care in the daytime too. Thank You for protecting me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.