On My Way Up: A Summer Pilgrimage in the Psalms of Ascent | Psalm 121

The Psalms of Ascent were the travel songs of God's people as they made their pilgrimage up to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals.  

A journey is about the experience. A pilgrimage is about the destination.   

Someone on a journey is open to wherever the road may lead. A pilgrim accepts the road as the cost of arriving at a particular destination. 

“Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” — Psalm 120:5-7 

When we realize how bad our current situation is, we have one of two responses: despair or hope. 

If we choose, hope, the question then becomes, what will we put our hope in? 

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." — Psalm 121:2  

Threat #1: The Slipping Foot 

"He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber." — Psalm 121:3 

Threat #2:  The Sun by Day 

"The LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day." — Psalm 121:5–6 

Threat #3: The Moon by Night 

“The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night." — Psalm 121:5–6 

“At noon Elijah began to taunt them. ‘Shout louder!’ he said. ‘Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.’” — 1 Kings 18:27 

“Shamar” - to keep or watch over. 

The psalmist uses this word 6 times in 8 verses:

"The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." — Psalm 121:8 

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." — John 14:1 

"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." — Hebrews 12:1–2