1 To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt. 4 Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.
REFLECTION:
Mercy (v3) is a much-admired quality in the Old Testament. It is compassion and concern for a helpless person’s plight, which finds expression in reaching out with help.
The person who needs mercy is completely dependent on the willingness of another to help. God’s people look to God for mercy as a slave, dependent on another’s kindness, looks expectantly to his or her master. How wonderful that as we depend on God, He does reach out to help us.
Recall a time when you’ve said “I’ve had it” (or as in v3, “we have had more than enough of contempt”). How has God shown mercy then? Read this psalm over a couple of times and have a conversation with God.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!” 8 For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
REFLECTION:
David wrote of his delight in going up to the temple to worship God in this short psalm. And the joy of finally arriving at Jerusalem where God’s people worships. Surely this is a cause for celebration.
Worship at Mount Zion was both a regular obligation (although a joyous event) and a bonding experience for temple-bound worshipers. What is “going to church” like for you?
Psalm 122 also reminds us of how Jesus marveled and wept over Jerusalem (Lk 9:51; 13:31-35; 19:41-44). By comparison, what tears have you shed over your beloved city?
Scan the city news section of your newspaper for events and people that need God’s “shalom” (peace and prosperity). Bring to God in prayer everyone you know in city hall and the key urban areas that need shalom.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
REFLECTION:
There is no help in the hills on which the pagans worship. However, for God’s children, our hope comes from the Lord Himself.
What can we expect from the God who watches over us at all times? Simply that he will “keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life.”
Imagine you are an Israelite making this pilgrimage to Mount Zion and verbal journaling your way through this psalm of confession and assurance. What parts do you find most reassuring for yourself?
What parts do you find most reassuring for a fellow pilgrim whom you know is struggling along the way?
Consider using Psalm 121 as an appropriate prayer for all your comings and goings. Offer it at mealtimes, office breaks and bedtimes. Let it influence the prayers and counsel which you offer family, friends and work associates, especially anyone facing an uphill battle.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
