“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”—Psalm 121:1–2 (NKJV)

Psalm 121 is among the fifteen psalms which comprise the Psalms of Ascent. In biblical times, these psalms were sung by Jewish men and women as they made pilgrimage to Jerusalem in order to observe three sacred feasts each year (Deuteronomy 16:16).

The term “Psalms of Ascent” comes from the fact that Jerusalem is perched at an elevation of approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. In a very natural and topographical way, a person would “ascend” whenever they journeyed to Jerusalem. 

But let’s consider another aspect of ascension here: a spiritual one. All of us can relate to the fact we go through spiritual low points in life. And as we do, we look upward with longing to ascend up from the valley to some spiritual summit. This Psalm of Ascent can lead our souls in this way as we carefully consider what it’s saying to us.

For starters, we can’t help but notice that at the outset, the psalm highlights the need for help. Believe it or not, that’s the first critical step up and out of any valley—an understanding that we need help. If we never see this, if we mask it with a false sense of being “fine,” we’ll never ascend. 

And yet, it doesn’tstop there. The psalm shows us the next vital step up, which is to declare the strength we don’t possess is found in the Lord. He is what we aren’t. As empty and lacking as we are, He’s abundantly full of power. How much power does He possess? Well, let’s start with the fact that He created heaven and earth! In other words, there’s nothing in this life that’s independent of His creative and controlling power. 

We couldn’t ask for a more capable Helper, but the psalm continues to elaborate on Him nonetheless: “He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand (Psalm 121:3–5 (NKJV).

Notice how the idea of “keeping” is woven in here. It’s one thing to create, quite another to keep. It implies there’s a commitment to preserve and to carry something through every adversity. The Lord is credited with keeping an entire nation: Israel. Think this through: If the Lord can keep an entire nation, how much more can He be trusted to keep an individual life? We can rest in knowing that Israel’s keeper also keeps those who look to Him, and by resting in this reality our hearts can’t help but rise. 

And it gets better: “The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night (Psalm 121:6 NKJV). When the psalmist uses imagery of the sun and moon, he’s emphasizing something previously referenced when he declared the Lord won’t “slumber nor sleep.” The Lord never “clocks out” in keeping those who trust in Him. When we’re weary and need sleep, He’s just getting warmed up! He’s our constant keeper! Can you feel your soul being lifted up by this? 

Finally, we see this: “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore” Psalm 121:7–8 (NKJV).

There’s a lot of evil in this world, and we frequently cross paths with it. But there’s a greater power working to preserve us, an unparalleled power found in the person of the Lord. With all of the unknown that can befall us in life, we can know this for certain, “The Lord shall preserve.”

And when does this expire? How long does this subscription with our constant keeper last? The psalm’s final word says it perfectly: “forevermore.” There’s a period after this word, which reminds us that nothing is to be added. Forever never ends! The Lord is our keeper, today, tomorrow, a year from now, and all the way up to our last day on earth and even beyond!

A Psalm of Ascent. It lives up to its title. It guides us up the steep spiritual slopes of life and sets us atop the peak where the Lord’s promises prevail. Keep this psalm close to you at all times as you allow it to remind you of your constant keeper. 

Pause: In what spiritual sense is Psalm 121 a Psalm of Ascent?

Practice: How has this psalm affected you? Reflect on how you can use this going forward in life.

Pray: Lord, may we never lose sight of You, even when we’re in the deepest valleys of our lives. Let us look to You to lift us up. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.