UNDERSTANDING OUR GOD

Psalm 121 is a beautiful psalm which helps us to understand God whom we love and go to in prayers.

The psalmist begins by saying that “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” (Psalm 121:1). Whenever help is needed, a person will seek and get the necessary help. It is so true that when in great distress and difficult situations in life, we look up and acknowledge that our help comes from God. God helps. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Through David’s psalm, we are able to see that our help comes from God. David cried out “Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.” (Psalm 54:1-4).

God is able to help me because He is omnipotent. “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2) The first chapter of the Bible begins by stating that in the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He is the Creator and we are His created beings. It follows then that the Creator will know our needs, strengths, weakness and is the provider. Mankind, being created beings, cannot do what the Creator can and therefore, must depend on and submit to our Creator. The psalmist wrote: “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.” (Psalm 33:8-10).

God keeps by watching over us, tending to us and protecting us. We can picture it like how security officers protect the head of a government or state. “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:3) We learn that God is compassionate and gives stability. He will not allow one to fall into sin as long as the person acts on His word (Psalm 119:11). God is also merciful, gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy (Psalm 103:8).

“Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4) God’s children are protected because God is attentive. To slumber is to be drowsy, but God is watchful. The wise man tells us that “the eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

“The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.” (Psalm 121:5-6) The psalmist provided the picture whereby just as how shade provides protection and shelter from the glare or heat of the sun, God protects His children from their enemies. This assurance that God protects is dotted throughout the pages of the Bible. David wrote that “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:2-3).

With God as our protector, we need not fear anyone.

God preserves. “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.” (Psalm 121:7) Souls are important to the LORD and thus, He would preserve and rescue. “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 97:10) One will hate evil when one knows what is good and what is evil. This comes from spending time meditating on God’s word. The psalmist says that one who is godly, delight and meditate in the law of the Lord will be preserved unlike the ungodly (Psalm 1:1-6). There is also the assurance that the LORD knows the way of the righteous.

We take comfort knowing that God hears our prayers and that He preserves because He is eternal. “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8) Moses called out and said “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” (Psalm 90:1-2). He was a man of God and had a close relationship with God. He knew that God was eternal and had seen the almighty hand of God. Thus, God watches over us all the time.

Having an understanding of our Creator builds faith. It helps us to put our trust and confidence in God and not have any doubt that God will forsake us as long as we remain faithful. Let us be exhorted to go to God always!

Ask Yourself:

1. What does Psalm 121 tell us about God?

2. What does it mean that God does not slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4)?

3. Do I understand God’s nature enough? If not, what may I do to build up my understanding and faith in Him?

Suggested Answers:

1. God helps (Psalm 121:1), He is omnipotent (Psalm 121:2), He is alert and keeps His children (Psalm 121:3-4), He protects His children (Psalm 121:5-6), He preserves the faithful (Psalm 121:7) and He is eternal (Psalm 121:8).

2. God is always watchful and alert. He does not become drowsy like man does.

3. You may discuss this with the writer or any Bible class teachers.