Psalm 121 (NRSVue)
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
Here are some questions for discussion:
1. Mountains bring joy and closeness to God for some people, but anxiety and fear for others. In your own life, what “mountains” feel comforting, and what “mountains” feel threatening? How does your perspective shape the way you experience those situations?
2. The repetition of the word “keep” emphasizes God’s protection and presence. What does it practically mean for you to believe that God “keeps” you—your going out and your coming in? How might this assurance change the way you approach anxiety or instability this week?
3. Psalm 121 asks the question, “From where does my help come?” When you feel overwhelmed by current events, personal struggles, or uncertainty about the future, where do you instinctively look for help? How does the psalm’s answer challenge or encourage you?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:
1. The psalmist may be looking at the mountains with awe—or with fear. What does this ambiguity reveal about how we project meaning onto our circumstances? How can two people faithfully interpret the same situation differently, and what does that teach us about humility in community?
2. Holly openly names anxiety while still declaring trust in God. How do you personally hold space for both anxiety and faith at the same time? What is the difference between denying fear and bringing fear honestly before God?
3. Governments and institutions can sometimes feel unsafe or harmful. How does Psalm 121 speak into moments when systems meant to protect people seem to fail? What does it look like to trust God’s keeping without becoming passive or disengaged from justice?
4. The psalm repeats that God “keeps” us—our life, our movement, our future. Where in your life do you struggle most to believe you are being kept? What spiritual practices or communal rhythms might help you internalize this truth beyond intellectual belief?
For further contemplation, consider these prompts:
1. Think about a current “mountain” in your life. Is it something that fills you with awe, fear, anticipation, or exhaustion? Describe what it feels like to stand before it. Then reflect on the question, “From where does my help come?” Be honest about where you instinctively look for help—and what it might mean to look “higher.”
2. The psalm repeats that God “keeps” your going out and your coming in. Think about a specific season when you did not feel kept or protected. Looking back, where (if anywhere) do you now see God’s presence? If you cannot see it, do you feel comfortable expressing that tension, doubt, or longing?