Order of Service

Communion Ritual

Psalm 121:1-8

(1) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (2) My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. (3) He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.  (4) Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (5) The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. (6) The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  (7) The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. (8) The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Introduction

This psalm was originally written when the children of Israel were in captivity in Babylon. It was revised later and used as a psalm of ascent sung by travelers journeying to Jerusalem to celebrate the great feast days. Since Jerusalem sits on a hill and is one of the highest points in Israel, it was befitting for sojourners to sing this psalm as they anticipated their stay in the holy city.

The original intent was a psalm of self-encouragement by reaffirming one’s belief in the One True God. It is really a positive soliloquy.

This psalm is a psalm for those who need help. There is no other requirement for the reader. If you need help, this psalm is for you. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we will have trouble in this sinful world. We need help to rescue ourselves from trouble. Sometimes, people give us trouble. Sometimes, our bodies give us trouble. Sometimes, we bring trouble on ourselves with bad decisions and bad actions.

There are differences of opinions about the grammar of the first verse of this psalm. Some scholars think that part of the first verse is a rhetorical question. Others agree with the King James Version and say it is an emphatic statement of the psalmist’s trust in God.   

No matter the opinion about grammar, the main thrust of the psalm is clearly evident. Looking to the hills is a request for and an acknowledgement of divine help.

Since we are talking about the grammar, the tense in the first verse is the continuing presence. So, it could be translated this way: “I will keep looking to the hills.” The implication is, “Even though I am having trouble right now, I will keep looking to the Lord for divine assistance.”

Why should we keep our eyes on the keeper? Let’s examine.

Exposition

1. Our Greatest Help and Protection Comes From The Lord Alone.

2. The Lord Is Vigilant At All Times.

3. Total Trust In The Lord Brings Us Total Peace And Complete Contentment.

Closing Thoughts

Notice how many times the words keep and keeper are used in this Psalm. Moreover, the word preserve is a form of the same Hebrew word. God is indeed a keeper.

Police officers are taught to keep their eyes on a suspect’s hands. If a violent act is perpetrated during an encounter, it will most likely be implemented with the hands. Football players are told to keep their eyes on the ball. Whoever has the ball should get the attention. Once the quarterback throws the ball to the wide receiver, the wide receiver gets all of the attention. The opposing defense keeps their eyes on the ball. One never knows when there might be a fumble that can be recovered. Choir members and orchestra members are admonished to keep their eyes on the conductor. Even FBI investigators are taught to follow the money. Christians are taught to follow Jesus. Only His footsteps lead us home.

No matter what happens in life, we should keep our spiritual eyes on the Lord. He is the only secure keeper of our souls. The psalmist really made a vow to himself that no matter what would happen, he would continue to look to God for deliverance and salvation.

I will end by quoting the second verse and the chorus of an old Black Gospel Hymn:

“Oh, to be kept by Jesus, Kept by His power divine.

Kept Through toil and trials, Kept by His hand in mine.

Oh, to be kept by Jesus; Lord at Thy feet I fall.

I would be nothing, nothing, nothing,

Thou shalt be all in all.”

Related Scripture

Deuteronomy 28:2-6

End Note

I had planned to preach this sermon on July 23, 2023. However, I was taken to the emergency room on that Sunday morning for excruciating chest pains. These chest pains, according to multiple tests and examinations, were the result of a serious heart condition with severely clogged arteries, ventricles, and atriums. The staff began to alert surgeons, who were not on site, to be prepared to perform emergency surgery. When these same tests and examinations were run to determine if the surgery could be delayed until Monday, the next day, they found no blockage at all. There was no trace of prior blockage. The staff was dumbfounded. They said, “There was no scientific or medical explanation for the sudden change. All of the initial tests and examinations could not have collectively given false positives.” With all due respect, I agreed with the highly trained medical professionals. There was no medical or scientific explanation, because it was a medical miracle from God. The fact that I will preach this sermon this morning affirms the message of my text, Psalm 121:1-8. Who wouldn’t serve a God like this?       

Give God Glory! Give God All The Glory!

Copyright © 2023 By James C. Ward

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