"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121: 1, 2
I had always been taught that the hills here refereed to pagan temples that would often be built on high places. The psalmist is saying do I look to them, no I look to the Lord. However the study notes in the NIV Study Bible pointed out that this was a pilgrimage song. In other words one that would be recited, sung, as pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem. It may have been chanted to oneself, or as a chorus among travelers.
In those days the Jews which lived outside of Jerusalem considered it a duty and honor to travel to Jerusalem, for some this might be a once in a lifetime trip. This psalm speaks both of a desire to come to the Lord, but also the assurance that if I do he will be there for me.
The question is still an important one for us today, "Where are you looking for your assurance?" Do you place more faith in your bank account, or job then in Jesus? When you are in need do you look to the Lord, or to a self-help book? And as we draw near to God is there a sense of his security, his providence, or do we just feel like here is one more obligation I have to add to my already too long to do list?
We don't have to wait a lifetime to make the pilgrimage to Christ. In fact he's already made the trip, the trip to the cross to set us free. When in doubt in your life, he's the one you need to be looking to for help and assurance.
I had always been taught that the hills here refereed to pagan temples that would often be built on high places. The psalmist is saying do I look to them, no I look to the Lord. However the study notes in the NIV Study Bible pointed out that this was a pilgrimage song. In other words one that would be recited, sung, as pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem. It may have been chanted to oneself, or as a chorus among travelers.
In those days the Jews which lived outside of Jerusalem considered it a duty and honor to travel to Jerusalem, for some this might be a once in a lifetime trip. This psalm speaks both of a desire to come to the Lord, but also the assurance that if I do he will be there for me.
The question is still an important one for us today, "Where are you looking for your assurance?" Do you place more faith in your bank account, or job then in Jesus? When you are in need do you look to the Lord, or to a self-help book? And as we draw near to God is there a sense of his security, his providence, or do we just feel like here is one more obligation I have to add to my already too long to do list?
We don't have to wait a lifetime to make the pilgrimage to Christ. In fact he's already made the trip, the trip to the cross to set us free. When in doubt in your life, he's the one you need to be looking to for help and assurance.
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