"I Lift My Eyes Unto the Hills..."

Psalm 121  (New International Version)

   A song of ascents.¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?

    ² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

   

 ³He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

    ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

   

 ⁵The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

    ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

   

 ⁷The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;

    ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore

This passage served as our call to worship last week and it triggered a few thoughts in my brain.  I love this passage and of course, I can't hear this passage without thinking of the Casting Crowns song (listen here) of that verse.  When I first heard that song, it made me think simply of mountains.  Growing up, my grandparents lived in the "hills" of Eastern KY.  Every time we visited it was always a peaceful time.  No one ever seemed to be in a hurry, it was a much different way of life.  When I read that passage, I couldn't help but to think of that.  Even though I needed to escape the pressures of my life, to go back to a slower, more peaceful place, that didn't solve the problems.  They were always right where I left them.  Once I returned from the hills the problems were waiting and acted like I had never left at all.  

This passage actually comes with a much deeper meaning then my original associations.  The hills in this passage refers to two different cultural references.  The first cultural reference refers to idols and temples that were built upon the hills to worship false gods.  The prophets of Baal were well known for building their temples on the hills for worship.  The author of the Psalm was stating that they did not look to the false gods, their help instead came from the Lord...the maker of Heaven and earth.  

The other cultural reference instead comparing the hills of the Psalm to Jerusalem.  Jerusalem, that sits on a hill, was considered to be the "Holy City" or "God's favored city".  People of the time believed that if there was a problem, or if they were at war, that all that they had to do was make it inside the walls of Jerusalem and God would protect them and destroy their enemy.  The Psalmist is stating that a city doesn't protect him and keep him safe, but instead God gives comfort and protection.  

I think we all have a "comfort" item...something that makes us feel safe and protected.  Remember our "help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth."