Frida was a very special member of the Mexican Navy. An eight-year-old Labrador (now retired), she was a rescue dog who searched for survivors under rubble and debris after earthquakes. Wearing goggles and special booties, she helped locate and save twelve people after an 8.1-magnitude quake in Oaxaca one year ago. Just weeks later, she also helped sniff out survivors of a 7.1-magnitude quake in Mexico City.
“Where does my help come from?” the psalmist asked (v. 1). The answer: “My help comes from the Lord” (v. 2). But why does the first line read, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains”? Is it because God is a God of the mountains? No. We already know He’s not like the localized pagan idols, but is Lord over mountains, valleys, and all of creation. Is it because a beautiful mountain reminds him of the Creator? No, it’s more contextualized than that. He referred specifically to the city of Jerusalem and the temple mount, often called “Mount Zion.”
Psalm 121 is a “song of ascents.” Pilgrims to Jerusalem sang it on the way in order to prepare their hearts for worship and major festivals. It was thus very natural for them to lift their heads and see above them their destination, the city, and within the city the mount on which the temple had been built. This sight led automatically to thoughts of God, His covenant, and His faithful love (see Ps. 125:1–2).
The rest of the psalm goes on to describe God’s faithful covenant love. He watches over us tirelessly (vv. 3–4). He protects us from any threat day (sun) or night (moon) (vv. 5–6). He keeps us from all harm (vv. 7–8). Pilgrims could use these verses as they praised the Lord and encouraged one another.
Pray with Us
Again, Digital Media Marketing is in our prayers, today for our email marketing and web content specialists: Emily Alvarado, Jacob Rositano, and Elizabeth Doogan. May the Holy Spirit guide them as they keep Moody connected with our friends.
BY Brad Baurain
Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.