(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 121:1-8)

As worshipers make their ascent towards Jerusalem and the temple, their eyes will be lifted up to Mount Zion and the surrounding hills of Judea. It is when the eyes are lifted up, to where the Name of the Lord is, where the glory of God dwells with His people, that they will be reminded that all help and life come from Him.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains reminds us that our help comes from the Lord. It is a reminder not to keep our eyes focused on the material things of this world, the wars, famines, disasters, the brokenness of the human race, but rather on God the creator, the one that does not slumber nor sleep, for His eyes are upon us at all times and forever.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains reminds us as Christians to keep our eyes focused on Calvary, where Jesus Christ was crucified, to the cross, that is our hope and promise of redemption, salvation, and life everlasting. For not only will the Lord keep us from the heat of the sun, nor the darkness, weariness, and fear from the moon by night, but He will keep our soul.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains reminds us to keep our heads up no matter what is happening in the world below us, because it is our Lord that has conquered death, is alive, and is our promise and hope of resurrection as well. We can imagine an image of a climber that is climbing towards a goal, however the fear of heights has frozen them in their place. Yet, God is like a voice calling out to us, saying, “keep your eyes of me,” and not the environment, the heights, or the dangers.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains because the Lord promises to guard our going out and coming in, not just sometimes, but from this time forth and forever. And so we will not be distracted, be confused, be tempted by any other helper, but keep our eyes focused on the cross, for that is our hope in an hopeless world.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Psalm 121