Psalm 121 — This psalm is a dialogue of confession and assurance. Its use as a pilgrimage song provides the key to its understanding. Key terms are “the Lord” and “watch over” each occurring five times in this psalm.
Psalm 121 – The God who Keeps and Helps
This is the
second of the series of psalms which are titled A Song of Ascents. As a song
sung by travelers, this is particularly relevant for the trust placed in God
through the journey.
David Livingstone, the famous missionary and explorer of the continent of Africa, read Psalm 121 and Psalm 135, which praises God for his sovereign rule over all things, as he worshiped with his father and sister before setting out for Africa in 1840. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Moffat, wrote him that Psalm 121 was always in her mind as she thought about and prayed for him.
Collect for Psalm 121: Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil now and forever [2]
Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 18: O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our heats; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen[3] 11 October 2022
[1] Luther’s Seal copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for Psalm 121, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[3] Ibid, Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 18
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