The superscription to this Psalm tells us that it is a "Song of Degrees” that this is a Psalm that worshipers would sing as they made their way to Jerusalem to participate in the three great annual feasts; Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. With that in mind, it is plain to see that this is a pilgrim's song. It tells of the dangers of the journey, and of the help God provides along the way.
When I look at verse 1 I notice that this is not a declaration of hope, but rather, it is a cry of despair. The Psalmist is telling us that danger is lurking in the hills above and is waiting for an opportunity to ambush the weary travelers that pass through. When this happens, where can the pilgrims turn for help? The psalmist answers his own question by reminding us that the Lord is our help.
May I remind you this morning that we are pilgrims? Our pilgrimage began the very moment that we received Jesus as Lord and Savior and it will continue until we step out of this life and into eternity.
However, as we wait for the time of our transition there are dangers that lurking all around us. There are thieves that would rob us, and not just for our money, but for your peace, your joy and your victory. There are those that will try to quench the fire of God in our souls. There are problems that would strip us of the glory, and the power of God.
I don't know about you all, but I have seen through these difficult days this year. I’ve seen days when dangers surrounded my life and I wondered where my help would come from. There were times when I wonder how I was going to make it. Times when I felt all alone.
Somebody might feel like that this morning! If you do, then allow me to encourage you with this Psalm. If you are struggling this morning, or you are aware that problems might be lurking around the next corner, then this Psalm is for you. I love what He says when he says I will lift my eyes unto the hills which cometh my help. Notice what he said, he said that he would lift his eyes unto and not into the hills. Don’t miss this.
He understood that the source of our help, and he believed in our creator. The Psalmist knew that his help would not come from the hills. Because in times past, the hills had been places of idolatry and false religion, and no help can be found in a false god, so he lifted his eyes unto and beyond the hills.
He also knew not to look in the hills because in the hills were robbers, burglars, there were those who were pickpockets. In the hills were thieves, murder, assassins, executor, massacres, and slaughter awaited in the hills.
So the Psalmist turned his attention to the Lord. He knew that the real source of his help was the Almighty God. He is not referring to a friend or a supporter, but to the Creator of the universe. The idea is this, if God can make this world, then surely, he has the power to take care good of me. Certainly my God he has the power to look out for me, he has the power to do miracles in my life, in other words he’s a keeper, he is a helper, he’s a provider, and he is a mind regulator. May I tell you that our helper is none other than the very one who stood on the edge of nothing and made everything with the Words of His power? And if he is able to create a world on a word then I know that he is able help us, and according to Eph. 3:20 that says. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
The psalmist knows that he is our confirmer – In verse 3 it tells us that the Lord will not allow our foot to "slip." Because God knows how easy it is for us to slip into sin and into discouragement. So, we must remember that He is ever with us and that he has promised to sustain us with his presence and His power, Heb. 13:5; proves that when he says “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” And Matthew 28:20 backs it up when it says “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Now notice that he says alway and not always. Because always means time, and alway means all, every, everyone, everything, whole, wholly (completely, entirely totally), and wholesome. Which tells me that everybody is included and no one is left out. No matter what your social statics is, you are not left out.
We need to remember that we can trust the Lord because he has never made a house that fell, nor a foundation that crumbled. There will be times when we feel like giving up and giving in, but we need to realize that He has lifted us up out of the miry clay of this world and has established our goings. We are constantly being reinforced and help steady by the mighty hand of God. Come here Psa. 40:1-3 and preach to us, it says 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
What this means to us is that we can count on the Lord to help us along the way. In fact, the New Testament depicts the Lord, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, as a "Comforter", John 16:13. He is pictured as One who comes along beside us to offer help and assistance during our journey. He helps us to keep on standing for the Lord.
Not only is he our confirmer but He Is also Our Constant Helper - Not only does the Lord know that it is easy for us to slip, but He also knows that it is easy for us to sleep. There are times when we grow weary and want to rest. There are times when we let down our guard and get caught napping. But, not so with the Lord! He is ever awake and is ever active on our behalf. He doesn't weary, He doesn't tire and He doesn't fall asleep at the switch.
Therefore, there is no need for you to worry. There is no need for you to fret. There is no need for you to lose one moment of sleep, because God is ever awake and is constantly on the job. What a blessing to know that we can depend upon Him. Lamentation 3:21 gives us insight when it says This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
I’m reminded of a story about a gang war that was went on all night long. When the morning came any many had died from the shootings and when they began to go from house to house seeing if everyone was okay. They noticed that everyone had been accounted for but one old mother named Mrs. Jackson, so they looked everywhere for her and finally someone found her in her bedroom, asleep in her bed. They were shocked and asked her, Mother Jackson, how could you sleep with all of that shooting all around?" Her answer is priceless! She said, well, the Bible says that He who keeps Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. And I decided there was no use in both of us staying up, so I just went to sleep and left it in the Lord's hands.
Not only is he our confirmer, not only is he our Constant Helper but he is the source and the strength of our help.
V. 5 tells us that He Protects Us From Our Enemies - This verse tells us that the Lord is our shade upon the right hand. In ancient times, the warriors carried two items into battle. In one hand was the sword and in the other hand was the shield. Normally, the shield was carried by the left hand and the sword in the right. This meant that the right side was vulnerable to attack since there was no shield of protection upon it. The Psalmist is telling us that God takes up a defensive position to protect us where we are most vulnerable, because we never know from where our attacks will come.
Sometimes, we find ourselves attacked in areas where we are weak. Our enemy knows all about our weaknesses. Other times, we may find that we are attacked in areas where we are the strongest. Elijah is renowned for his courage; still he fled from the woman Jezebel. Moses great strength was his meekness, still in his anger he smote the rock and was forbidden to enter the Promised Land. Abraham's greatest strength was his faith in the Lord, yet he went into Egypt in pure unbelief. The point in this, we will be attacked, and we never know where the attack will come from, but it never catches God off guard. He is always ready to shield us and to protect us from our enemies.
But also in V. 6 He Protects Us From The Elements - In this verse, the Psalmist speaks of two possible sources of harm that were common to the ancient soldier. One was sunstroke, a dangerous condition where the body became overheated and shut down. This condition could be fatal. The other was moon stroke, it was believed by the ancients to be just as dangerous. Moon stroke, unlike sunstroke, did not affect the body, but the mind. In ancient times, mental illness was thought to be caused by the moon. This is where we get the word "lunatic" to refer to someone who has a mental disturbance.
The idea is while we are subject to attack in our lives. We are also subject to attacks in our bodies and in our minds. However, just as God will guard us against the attack of the enemy from the outside, He will guard us from the attack on the inside as well.
I think that I need to tell somebody whether the attack is open, or secret. It does not matter whether it comes by day or in the darkness of night. Be sure of this one thing and that is God is aware of where you are and of what is happening to you, and He will always be there to protect you, to guard you and to give you the resources that you need to stand in the day of battle. Because God is our strong tower.
So, all me to drop this in your spirit.
In V. 7 we see that we are preserved from evil.
And then in V. 8 we are preserved for eternity, the writer reminds us that the Lord will keep us while we are here, and, that He will continue to keep us throughout eternity.
Well somebody might want to know, Who is this Lord?
In chemistry, He turned water to wine.
In biology, He was born without the normal conception.
In physics, He went against the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;
In economics, he fed 5000 men with two fish & 5 loaves of bread;
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,
In history, He is the beginning and the end;
In government, He said that He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace;
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through Him; So. Who is He? He is Jesus! He is so awesome that it was said
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us! And who will help us.
So, that’s why I look unto the hills for my help because all of my help comes from the Lord.
