Intro: This is the first of fifteen “Songs of Degrees” (Psa. 121-134). Pilgrims sang responsively as they annually went up to Jerusalem to celebrate their major feasts: Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles (Deut. 16:16). The theme is often God's protection over His pilgrim people. The message of Psa. 121 practically applies to God's pilgrims today (1 Pet. 2:11). It gives us needed assurances as we journey in this life.
I. OUR FATHER'S CREATION IS BEFORE US (vv. 1-2)
A. If the Lord created heaven and the earth, then He is a God of great wisdom and power, and we have nothing to fear.
B. Satan, the god of this present evil world, may oppose and oppress the saints, but our Heavenly Father is still Lord and God of heaven and earth (Matt. 11:25; Rev. 11:4).
C. When travelers caught sight of Jerusalem upon the mount (Psa. 125:1-2), they knew that God dwelt there in His holy Temple ready to provide the help they so needed (Psa. 3:4).
D. Everything in the heavens and on earth bears witness to the great and Almighty Creator who is also our loving Heavenly Father, so what and whom shall we fear? (See Psa. 124:8)
II. OUR FATHER'S EYES ARE UPON US (vv. 3-4)
A. The word "moved" (v.3a) means "to slip and fall." How easy it would be to sprain an ankle or even fall and break a bone while walking up on uneven rocky paths.
B. The Lord is concerned about our feet and our walk (see Prov. 3:23). "Keep" (vv.3-4) means "to guard and protect" and is used 6X (vv. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8). It was first used in the Bible in Gen. 2:15 where God put Adam in charge of the garden "to keep it." This means to guard, protect and take good care of.
C. Even while we sleep, God as our good Father watches over us because He does not go to sleep (Psa. 34:15; 32:8).
III. OUR FATHER'S PRESENCE IS BESIDE US (vv. 5-6)
A. Our Keeper is not only on the throne looking down on us (Psa. 33:13), but is ever beside us to shield us from all harm.
B. It doesn’t mean that believers won’t be in difficulty. Things God permit to occur within His will discipline us, not destroy us!
C. David had many experiences that brought sorrow and even threatened his life, but God enabled him to turn those seeming tragedies into beautiful psalms that encourage us today.
D. God at our right hand offers the "shade" (v.5b) that we need (Psa. 91:1). In extreme Israeli climate, the summer sun is terrible (Jonah 4:8). At night the sudden temperature drop could be very cold and unhealthy, if you lack warm covering.
E. Day and night, our Father is with us to shelter us from that which could harm and destroy us. Our Father is with us in all the times and seasons, and challenges and changes of life.
IV. OUR FATHER'S CARE IS AROUND US (vv. 7-8)
A. We need not fear life or death, today or tomorrow, time or eternity, for we are in the loving care of the Father. "All evil" (v.7a) means anything that could harm us, but in His grace, our Father turns into good the things we think and see as evil.
B. Joseph had to patiently endure the slander and hatred of his brothers plus 13 years of separation from his father; the false accusations of his employer's wife; and years in prison – all because of his brothers' sins. In the end, Joseph was able to say, "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good..." (Gen. 50:20). Paul said the same in Rom. 8:28!
C. The phrase "going out and coming in" (v.8) refers to the daily activities of earthly life (Deut. 28:6). Yes, the Father is concerned about our tasks, our schedules, and even the so-called "minor details" that we too often take for granted.
D. Orthodox Jews take Deut. 6:9 and 11:20 literally. They affix small metal boxes containing scripture portions to the right-hand doorpost of their house, and they touch the box reverently each time they go in and out of the house. These boxes are called “mezuzas” (meaning “doorpost”).
E. What a blessing to know that, as we go in and out of our house, to and fro anywhere, the Father is with us and cares for our needs. (1 Pet 5:7)… and He cares “for ever more” (v.8).
CONCLUSION: We need not grow weary of life’s long journey on earth since the Lord is with us. We need not fear what happens along the way especially since it will ultimately lead us to our home! What a gracious loving Heavenly Father we have in God!
