Our Keeper

Family road trips can be torturous for most children and teens. The question, “Are we there yet?” is a very common mantra, as the hours seem to tick by slowly and the hum of the motor and the cramped conditions add fuel to boredom. It may feel like the destination will never be reached! To pass the time, I have found several things to be helpful as a kid: snoozing in the back seat, playing a few simple games, and most importantly, an upbeat travel soundtrack that everybody can sing along to.

Jewish pilgrims also had a common soundtrack that was familiar and to which all travelers chimed in. Psalm 121 is a part of the soundtrack of God’s people as they would journey to the holy city of Jerusalem to observe one of the annual festivals. At least once in their lifetime, every Jew longed to make this pilgrimage and worship, sacrifice, and celebrate at the temple for Passover, the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Tabernacles. Psalm 121 is the second in a collection of fifteen songs often referred to as “Psalms of Ascent” (Psalms 120-134). No matter where the Jewish pilgrims were coming from, their travels concluded with a climb up the holy hill called Mount Zion, making their way up to Jerusalem. The psalm begins with a soloist singing, “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!” (Ps 121:1-2). The singer’s assertion that the LORD is his help, whether expressed in confidence or concern, elicits an affirming response from the choir of fellow pilgrims in the song’s remaining verses (Ps 121:3-8):

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, or 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 communal response must have been music to the weary traveler’s ears. By this point he had been on pilgrimage for days (maybe weeks); his muscles ached and his feet were sore. The journey must have taken its toll, both physically and emotionally. There may have been times when he was concerned for his safety and comfort, ready to turn aside from his travels. But now, finally, his eyes beheld the hills of Judea, in particular Mount Zion, the hill upon which is perched his destination, Jerusalem, the City of Peace. Hearing his fellow pilgrims sing must have reassured him as together they began their ascent. It must have put joy in his heart and strength in his steps.

The word that punctuates the tone of the corporate response is the word “keep”. It appears six times, almost rhythmically, throughout the song and communicates that God actively guards, preserves, and watches over His people. He is “the Maker of heaven and earth” after all, and sovereignly cares for every moment of our lives from its beginning to its end (Ps 121:8). He guides us like a shepherd, making sure that we will not stumble or slip (Ps 121:3). We can trust Him completely, since He is capable of straightening life’s inevitable twists and turns (Prov 3:5-6). He also protects us like a vigilant watchman, who never grows tired or nods off to sleep. As a matter of fact, His desire is to comfort us in what consumes us by day and what keeps us awake by night (Ps 121:4-7). There is great assurance in being reminded by our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that God is “our help in ages past , our hope for years to come; our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home” (v. 1; “O God, Our Help In Ages Past”, Isaac Watts).

We too are traveling to Jerusalem - the New Jerusalem - described in Revelation 21. As part of God’s full makeover of fallen creation, He will prepare a Heavenly Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-3). When all of human history concludes, the last battle has been fought, and the final enemy has received God’s just punishment, a re-creation will take place. This will include the place where God will forever dwell with His people. Even though this world has us scampering around other “hills” searching for help and satisfaction, it is the place we were made for, deeply long for, and basically seek. It is the ultimate fulfilment of the entire scope of God’s promises. Here God, in the coming ages will “show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7). Are we there yet?!

Until then, we link arms with our fellow pilgrims for encouragement and rely on our divine Keeper to help us in our time of need (Ps 46:1-7). The words of hymn writer and pastor, John Newton, come to mind: “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home” (“Amazing Grace”; v. 3).

Psalm 91:1-4 (ESV) - “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.”