This is one of my favorite Psalms of all time. During this time of Lent we have to be really careful not to merely skip over the first verse and dive into the rest of the Psalm. We have to stand with the Psalmist and truly ask "Where in the world is my hope? Where is my Saviour? Why am I stuck here staring at the hills in times of troubles?"
As Christians we often like to ignore Good Friday and jump straight into Easter. Let's give this opening verse the attention it demands!
Missouri Dave
I hope that there indeed is a connection with this psalm and Isaiah 43: 1 - 2. Although the promises between the two passages are reiterated the assurance of God's presence with God's people is just the same no matter how difficult the situation. Peace, Orpheusblack
The hills were where the idols--the astheroth poles were for idol worship. What are the hills that people look to now instead of saying, "Where does my help (the real help) come from"?
forgot to sign the comment about idols in the hills. Preacher W Also see I misspelled badly the name of the idols.
The question that begins this text "From where will my help come?" That is three weeks of preaching right there. I agree with the guy who said that we must not skip the pian for the sake of the party. People understand that question, from where does my help come, better then they understand the answer, my help comes from the Lord.
Just a few thoughts,
cowboy preacher
The question that begins this text "From where will my help come?" That is three weeks of preaching right there. I agree with the guy who said that we must not skip the pian for the sake of the party. People understand that question, from where does my help come, better then they understand the answer, my help comes from the Lord.
Just a few thoughts,
cowboy preacher
I am working with this Psalm (at a late hour). My title is "Lift Up Your Eyes--And Watch Your Step." I believe that looking to the Lord is essential--that is the bedrock of biblical faith. But I also believe that our faith should impact our daily life-walks. This pilgrim song invites us to look beyond our own resources, but also to an awareness that what happens in this life matters very much to God. There is a balance here between head in the clouds ("I will lift up my eyes") spirituality and feet on the ground ("he will not let your foot stumble") practicality.
And the connection with John 3 is strong. God cares not just about "heavenly" matters, the life beyond, but also "worldly" matters, the daily grind. "For God so loved the world . . . "
I think this approach matters because of our tendency to look down on folks who do not consider God as their source of help. Rather, we should consider just how our faith works in the world to help point people beyond us to God's resources.
An epistle reading from James would fit well here, with the emphasis on the "So what...?" of faith.
Any more thoughts? A story come to mind?
TK in OK
My heart has been broken and I am just now recovering. God gave me a scripture to follow...literaly...Isah 43:1-14 or so. The other day through prayer and talking to God he gave me Ps. 121. twice in one day in different ways. I see after reading this that the two go together. God has been answering my cries of pain and wondering. I live a deep faith but this heart break has made me question if God didn't love the person who broke my heart more than me. He does seem to be getting everything he wants through his actions. Yet God keeps telling me that he has both the decieved and the deciever in his hands and as he said to Joseph it is carved in stone that this person will fall and fall hard. I have struggled with this pain and how being obedient to God has reaped nothing like has for the person who did the breaking. Make no mistake God has poured abundance into my life in ways that can only be described as miraculous, I think I just don't understand the injustice of all that has happened. But in the end it doesn't really matter if I understand why God has allowed all of this to happen, just that I trust that he has and will work all of this to my good. Great comments on this sight. Thank you so much for sharing, I feel blessed to have been able to read from here.
Gods Treasure
I heard the words of psalm 121 at the bedside of my dying father 18 years ago. The words were spoken into my mind. I chose to read the words this August at the church where my son was married that day. Linda.
"I will lift up my eyes to the hill"
I preceive the hill to be the "death ground" of Jesus.
One must believe in a "higher order" to remain sane in today's world.
"I am the way the truth and the light, NO one comes to the FATHER except through ME ( JESUS )
I am using this text for a sermon I am working on, tentatively titled Help is on the way. I think much of what we go through, and how is percieved, could better be handled intellectually if we put our trust in God. Who said that when we became save, we would be immune from heart aches, strife, disappointment, etc. Jesus endured while walking this earth years ago and we can too, by putting our trust and faith, in the one, that has the whole world in his hand.
This is my favourite psalm it is self explanatory to me. Where else can my help come from,the man who created heaven and earth.It is so simple just keep your faith,hope and trust in him because there is noone else. If you know of someone els them you are looking the wrong way.
I have been humming this Psalm all day. It is a sad day for me. And it is a happy day. I am in great physical health, as are my husband and children. Hallelujah! However, I am concerned about my husband's spiritual health. But I then realized that God was talking to me through this Psalm. The Lord is my keeper. The Lord is my shade, upon my right hand. Hallelujah!!! I am sad and very concerned but the Lord will keep me from all evil. He will keep y life. And the lives of my loved ones. Amen.
No. There is no better term than Lord. When used for a human person "lording" it over her fellows it is not good. But with God, I see no problem with the term. After all the Lord is Creator ("who made heaven and earth").
No. There is no better term than Lord. When used for a human person "lording" it over her fellows it is not good. But with God, I see no problem with the term. After all the Lord is Creator ("who made heaven and earth").
Ed of NV
Is there a better term than LORD? LORD seems so old fashioned. I don't feel like my creator is 'lording'anything over me.