I will
lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
Psalm 121 [1.] I will lift up my eyes to the hills.
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved.
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Meaning:
- Lifting Eyes to the Hills:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills: The psalmist begins with a poetic expression, directing our attention to the hills. This imagery might evoke a sense of seeking guidance or help from high places.
Where does my help come from? The rhetorical question introduces a theme central to the psalm—identifying the ultimate source of help and security.
- Source of Help:
My help comes from Yahweh: The answer to the pondered question is unequivocal. The psalmist declares that help originates from Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel.
Who made heaven and earth: The description of Yahweh as the Creator of heaven and earth reinforces the psalmist's confidence in God's omnipotence. The One who fashioned the cosmos is the same One providing help.
- Significance:
Relying on the Creator: The psalmist's choice to lift their eyes to the hills symbolizes a deliberate act of seeking help. By identifying Yahweh as the Creator of heaven and earth, the psalmist anchors their trust in the One with ultimate authority.
Divine Help in Every Aspect: The reference to God as the Maker of heaven and earth signifies the all-encompassing nature of divine assistance. God's help extends beyond specific situations, embracing the totality of human existence.
Relevance for Today:
Seeking Guidance in Adversity: The metaphorical lifting of eyes to the hills may resonate with individuals navigating challenges or seeking guidance. In times of uncertainty, the psalm invites us to turn our attention to the reliable source of help—Yahweh.
Trusting in God's Sovereignty: The acknowledgment of God as the Creator of heaven and earth reaffirms His sovereignty. In a world marked by uncertainties, believers can find assurance in a God who not only made the universe but actively engages in the affairs of humanity.
Cross-References:
Psalm 124:8: "Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made heaven and earth." Another psalm that echoes the acknowledgment of God as the source of help, emphasizing the connection between divine creation and assistance.
Psalm 146:5-6: "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them." A parallel recognition of happiness in having Yahweh as a source of help, coupled with a reminder of God's creative power.
In Our Spiritual Journey: Psalm 121:1-2 encourages us to examine the orientation of our gaze in times of need. Are we lifting our eyes to the hills, recognizing God's supreme authority, or are we relying solely on human efforts and understanding?