We are looking today at my favorite Psalm 121. This is a Psalm I just find myself quoting over and over again. It always seems to be on the tip of my tongue. Part of the reason is because when I was a younger Christian, I found myself singing this Psalm over and over again. I’m including a link to the version I used to sing along to. In that, this Psalm became a part of my deep spiritual life. I love God’s Word. This Psalm reminds me of just how much I love the Bible. Make your home there. Live there. And in that, you will find His grace, His love, His very life.

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Here is Susan Ashton singing Psalm 121.

Read our passage here.

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Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our continued exploration of the Psalms of Thanksgiving during this special week. It’s truly a joy to journey through these Psalms with you. As you may know, my deep love for the Psalms has made them constant companions and friends throughout my life.

Today, we’re going to delve into Psalm 121—a Psalm that I’ve quoted more than any other. It’s a personal favorite, and for some reason, I just love it. Let me read it to you, and then we’ll discuss its significance.

“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. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 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. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

This Psalm is a song of ascent, a song sung while ascending Mount Zion on the way to the temple. As we lift our eyes toward the hills, we’re directing our gaze to Mount Zion, where God’s presence and glory reside. It’s a song of praise to God, our protector, our shade, the one who keeps us.

This passage holds special significance for me, as it’s a Psalm I’ve quoted countless times. Even when I don’t intend to, it seems to flow naturally from my lips. It’s a reminder to lift our eyes to God, the source of our help. The act of looking up signifies placing our trust in Him.

When I taught recently on the concept of obedient grace—how God’s grace is always before us, calling us to Himself—I found myself quoting this Psalm again. The idea is that in all of life’s experiences, the good gifts, the laughter of children, and the beauty of worship, God is calling us to look up towards Him.

Psalm 121 teaches us that God is our protector who doesn’t slumber or sleep. He’s consistently aware and present. He loves us and is our shade, our refuge from the scorching sun of life’s challenges. It’s a psalm of praise for God’s protection and provision, assuring us that He keeps us from all evil.

On a personal note, what makes this Psalm so dear to me is the connection I have with a version of it sung by Susan Ashton in the 1990s. I often sang and listened to this version in my early Christian life, and it left an indelible mark on my soul. So, beyond its biblical significance, Psalm 121 is a reminder of my love for God’s Word and how it has been my constant companion in both joys and trials.

As we continue our week of Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful for the gift of Scripture. Make your home in the Psalms, make your home in God’s Word, and you’ll find grace, peace, love, and mercy waiting for you there.

Thank you for joining us, and I look forward to exploring another Psalm of Thanksgiving with you tomorrow. Have a great day!