“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2, NKJV)

Life is full of challenges. At times circumstances seem so overwhelming that we do not know how we can survive. We receive unexpected news. We are in an impossible situation. We are anxious, afraid, or depressed. Is there any relief? Is there any help? Does anyone really care?

It is just for such situations that the psalmist wrote this song of ascents. These were the psalms they sang as they ascended to Jerusalem—especially during the three annual religious feasts.

Imagine that as they sing, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills,” they are literally looking up to the hills surrounding Jerusalem. They remember that the LORD is their Helper. He created the heavens and the earth, and He is on their side. There is no challenge that is too difficult for Him.

“He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:3–4, NKJV)

God will not let you stumble or fall. The LORD is your Shepherd who never sleeps. He watches over you continually, not to harm you, but to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

“The LORD is your keeper. the LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” (Psalm 121:5–6, NKJV)

Have you ever been harmed by the sun or the moon? Hasn’t the LORD protected you through every storm?

“The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7–8, NKJV)

Have your enemies ever robbed you of your life? Hasn’t the LORD preserved you through every spiritual attack? When the enemy has come in like a flood, hasn’t He raised a standard against him? (Isaiah 59:19) If He has done these things in the past, then won’t He continue to do them today and tomorrow? He is with you wherever you go, and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

When we face life’s challenges, sometimes we just need to remember our God is with us and sing!