The Pilgrim’s PrayerНамуна

The Help of the LORD

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascents which the people of Israel sang on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem to visit the temple of God. It is the prayer song of a weary pilgrim who has experienced days of arduous travel across the hot and dusty Palestinian terrain. Travelling as a lonesome company, in constant danger from brigands, a pilgrim walked anxiously never knowing if he would arrive safely at his destination. Travel in the ancient world was painful and perilous. Thus, the poor wandering pilgrim with his tired body longing for rest and his mind nervous with worry lifts his eyes to the hills seeking deliverance! According to tradition, the covenant people of God, even during their exile in distant Babylonian River plains, would imagine the far hills of Judah and sing this prayer: “From where does my help come?” In other words, where is salvation?

Though the eye looks towards the hills, the pilgrim by faith knows that his help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth! His help comes from the one true living God who has covenanted with him. Yahweh who guided Abraham to the promised land and led the children of Israel from Egypt aids the devout pilgrim also! The child of God is never alone for his sure helper is by his side! This helper is immortal and invincible. He created the heavens and earth by the word of his mouth! Does the child of God have reason to fear even amid danger when the Creator of the universe is his aid? 

During India’s First War of Independence in 1857, the Indian regiments often committed atrocities attacking English civilians. William Edwards, a British magistrate who was on constant run for some five months wrote in his diary, “we are much harassed. Heavy guns were firing at Turruckabad today…they reminded us painfully of our fearful proximity to that place where so many are thirsting for our lives. Amidst it all, the psalms are most consoling and wonderfully suited to our cause especially the 121st: 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh our help'.” 

In our life, whatever path we walk as Christian pilgrims, we can be confident that God is our helper. He has covenanted himself with us to be our husband in Jesus Christ. Does not the husband rush to aid his beloved when she is in danger?