*This blog is part of our weekly, virtual Bible Study through the book of Psalms. For information on how to participate, please visit this page.

By Pastor David Halvorson

This psalm shows that though we have experienced trouble followed by victories in the past, we are easily discouraged whenever the next challenge arrives on the scene. As the children of Israel did in the wilderness, the soul and the flesh are ever ready to forget God’s continuous flow of victories and provision.

I know where my help comes from

“I cried out to God with my voice--to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me.” (Verse 1)

1 “A Song of degrees. I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.”

2 “My help comes from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

The psalmist remembers the struggle in the soul, as in times past. He cries to the Lord. 

He declares the lord hears him.

“In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted.” (Verse 2) 

I sought the Lord, as one who is hopeless. My hand was stretched out without ceasing, seeking to touch God. My soul, that is, my mind, will and emotions, are overwhelmed by the trouble in this world and in my life.

“I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah” (Verse 3)

I am thinking, The Lord should have been here by now! “my spirit” in this verse is not the regenerated spirit of the New Testament, but rather refers to my ability to stand against troubles and trials in this life. There is an emotional roller coaster of the soul “in troubles” and we are distracted by its crying because of the inability to walk through this life without troubles.  We often cry, “Where is my God?” The answer can be found in Jesus' words:

“Jesus said, In the world you will have tribulation (trouble), but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The Struggles Are Real

4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 

5 I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. 

6 I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search. 

7 Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? 

8 Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? 

9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah (Verses 4-9)

Wrestling with God

In Genesis 32 Jacob struggles with doubt and fear as he prepares to meet his estranged brother.

“And Jacob was left alone and a Man wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” (Verse 24) And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Verse 26) And he, God blessed him there. (Verse 29) 

Paul Struggles with Flesh

“I find then a law that when I would do good, evil is present with me.” (Rom. 7:21)

Victory through Jesus Christ

24 “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

25 “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Rom. 7:24-25)

Victory of the Psalmist

As we complete the reading of this Psalm, the psalmist remembers the victories of the past and the hope of God’s constant provision in every circumstance. Remembrance and meditation are indispensable to walking with the Lord through the trials of his life.

Remember God’s Greatness 

10 “And I said, ‘This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 

11 “I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.”

12 “I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.” 

13 “Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God?” 

14 “You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.

15 “You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah” 

16 “The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled.” 

17 “The clouds poured out water; The skies sent out a sound; Your arrows also flashed about.” 

18 “The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightning lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook.” 

19 “Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, And Your footsteps were not known. 20 You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” (Verses 10-20)

We are constantly encouraged as we read the scripture and pray, giving thanks for God’s great goodness and blessings each day. As we remember his faithfulness, He reminds us that he is always there for us, even when it seems to our minds and emotions that he is far away. For he has said I will never leave you nor forsake you.

“And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

Additional scriptural support for meditation, victory, hope and longsuffering:

(Romans 5:1-5)

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(Romans 12:2)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(1 Corinthians 2:14)

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know [them,] because they are spiritually discerned.

(2 Corinthians 3:18)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

(2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

(Philippians 4:8)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

(Colossians 1:9-11)

 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [Him,] being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy

(James 1:2-8)

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 [he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

(James 1:22-25)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it,] and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

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