Psalm 121

In the1960’s a style of music emerged that would help define the Civil Rights movement. Freedom Songs, as they came to be called, were spirituals and hymns which encouraged people during some of the darkest times of our nation’s history. 

Do you remember the song “We Shall Overcome?" This spiritual became the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights movement. The lyrics are easy and the tune is so simple it allows anyone to lend their voice to it. For several years it was the one song you could hear bellowed at marches, rallies, and churches. Martin Luther King began to quote parts of it in his sermons and Pete Seeger and Joan Baez each recorded versions of it. What very few people knew was where this song came from. 

In 1942, Louise Shropshire, a musician at a Baptist church in Cincinnati, Ohio wrote a song entitled “If My Jesus Wills”. The opening lyrics were "I'll overcome/I'll overcome/I'll overcome someday/If my Jesus wills". Those words, her words, were the genesis for a song that would unite and inspire national change.

There are several Psalms known as the Psalms of Ascent. These special Psalms where sung traditionally as people would travel to Jerusalem. Several times a year you were required to make sacrifices or attend religious festivals. As people would take the roads, climbing up to Jerusalem, these were some of the songs they would sing. Each Psalm was sung at different stages of the trip. Each was meant to lift the pilgrim’s spirits as they got closer and closer to the temple.

1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

I read these first words, and given the state of our world, I just have to pause. I have to admit my own need of help. My own issues with trying to solve my own problems. My own doubts in God's interest in my little life. How easy it is to lose sight of God’s sovereign rule in my life?

Maybe you have asked the question “where will my help come from"? Maybe you were asking this about your marriage, your children, your finances, your job, or just life. 

The author declares to look up to the mountains. This I love. This simple reminder that there are times when all you can do is look Up. There are times when all you can do is remind yourself - “God has this”.

With this Psalm maybe find a verse or two that really speaks to your heart. Put them on sticky notes where you will see it multiple times - maybe on your bathroom mirror, car dash, or even the fridge. Each time you see it stop and sing those words of faith.

~ Pastor Jackie