This is the second Song of Ascent that God’s people would have sung on their way to Jerusalem. Therefore, it is often referred to as the “traveler’s” song, but in reality it relates to the whole of life we (the people of God ) make our pilgrimage to the New Jerusalem.
The essence of the psalm is divine protection for those who belong to the Lord.
We first see in verses 1-2 a plea for help. The psalmist looks to the hills and then affirms that the Lord is his source of help. The phrase, “I lift my eyes to the hills” does does not indicate the Psalmist was looking to the mountains for help. The mountains suggested Jerusalem, the city of God. Therefore this phrase meant looking to God as one’s help. And the Psalmist explicitly states in verse 2: “My help comes from the Lord.”
Charles Spurgeon states it well: The purposes of God; the divine attributes; the immutable promises; the covenant, ordered in all things and sure; the providence, predestination, and proved faithfulness of the Lord- these are the hills to which we must lift up our eyes, and from these our help must come.
The remainder of the Psalm (verses 3-8) shows that there is assurance in God’s protection. Those who trust the sovereign Lord God for protection find reassurance that he protects them from harm in every way.
· Verses 3-4: The idea of “slumber”or “sleep”is a figure for lack of attention. God never fails to watch over his people. He is attentive to them every step of the way. He will not let down his guard.
· Verses 5-6: God is vigilant at all times. The phrases, “shade on your right hand, the sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night” show that God’s protection is constant and complete, covering all of everything.
· Verses 7-8: The Lord is able to protect from all harm.
-“keep you from all evil” is any kind of calamity or misfortune in life, anything that brings pain or distress.
-“going out and coming in “is all activities in the daily course of life
-“from this time forth and forevermore” is from now on and always
Believers may confidently trust in the Lord to protect them in their spiritual journey. The assurance of the Lord’s protective presence does not mean that life will be free of danger or difficulty. But believers have this promise: they will be protected within the confines of God’s will for them. Even through the hardships, God will keep his people. He is their Good Shepherd
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