The Faith that leads to God
Psalm 121:1-8
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
The Lenten season provides us with so many opportunities to draw close to God and others. As we read prescribed scriptures there is a recognition that people all over the world are reading the same verses, and there is comfort in such community.
Psalm 121 is the second of fifteen psalms known as the “Songs of Ascents.” Called “Pilgrim Songs,” these psalms were sung on the way up to Jerusalem. When I read of these communal songs, I am reminded of the spirituals the slaves sang as they worked the fields. The workers sang these songs with no fear, with the words and the rhythm building as the song progressed. The meaning was often disguised as a longing for heaven’s shore, but as the people sang in unison, the work progressed more quickly.
“Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home…” was one of the first such songs I recall. The Old Testament story of Elijah was referred to in a rhythmic pattern that moved the work forward. Similarly, the Song of Ascents moved pilgrims closer to the Temple, building the travelers up in their most high faith.
May we, as we continue our Christian journey, be assured that our help does, indeed come from the Lord and may our faith build as we progress toward that heavenly city.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
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