When we are facing some problems or difficulties and need help, we don’t want to find the person assigned to help us off in the corner taking a nap. In a dangerous neighborhood, we don’t want to see the police officer snoozing in his vehicle, nor do parents want to come home and find the babysitter asleep on the job, either. We want those who are supposed to be there to help us to be awake and alert. Our psalmist today wanted to know the same thing. Was the One he was depending upon awake and alert to help him in his time of need? Let’s take a look.
The land of Israel had many high hills, particularly in the southern kingdom of Judah. Pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for the holy days would have to cross many in order to get to the Holy City, which also was high upon some hills. As the psalmist looked to these hills, he knew that he was seeing the handiwork of Yahweh, the Master Creator of all that he saw. Perhaps on this day, he was facing a problem, some difficulty in his life that was distressing him. Where could he look for help? (vs. 1). His friends may have been of no use, as this may not have been a problem they could assist with, or they weren’t able or willing to help. Whatever the issue may have been, he may have run out of options or places to turn to. Where was his help going to come from?
As this pilgrim psalmist passed through the various high hills throughout his country, he would have come upon many “high places”. These were altars and other places of worship that the people had set up to worship Baal and other pagan gods. As we read through the Old Testament, God’s prophets were continually condemning the people for setting up high places to worship and sacrifice to false gods, along with groves, another place in the woods where pagan worship was also practiced. (I King 11:7; II Kings 23:15). The psalmist knew that his help was not going to come from these false, pagan gods that the people worshiped on the hills. He was looking to the Creator, not some god of the mountains, for his help. His help came from Yahweh (vs. 2).
The pagan gods that so many of the Israelites had fallen into worshiping had many human characteristics, such as needing to eat and to sleep. If one approached these pagan gods at the wrong time, they would not be attentive to their prayer. The prophet Elijah mocked the pagan priests about this when he challenged them and their gods to answer by fire (I Kings 18:27). This is not the case with Yahweh. He is almighty, and has absolutely no human frailties. He does not need to sleep, and never takes a nap (vs. 3-4). He is always alert, available, and attentive to our cries, even when our feelings seem to tell us otherwise.
God is our keeper (vs. 5). This is the same Hebrew word that was used in Genesis 4:9, when Cain questioned God as to whether he was his brother’s keeper. Cain had no regard for his brother, but God watches over His children, to guard and protect us every step of the way throughout our life. He provides us guidance so we’ll grow in godliness.
God’s children, those who are in relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, have around the clock protection with Him (vs. 6-8). The pilgrim psalmist knew how weary one can get in the hot wilderness sun, or the chilly desert nights. Yet he also knew that God was always with him, protecting, pointing the way, and teaching him. We have assurance and hope in God’s protection, day and night. In pagan belief, their gods only had power and jurisdiction over certain areas or things. One was a god of this valley, or that hill, or that forest. Or they were the god of the clouds, or the fish, etc. That is not the case with Yahweh! He not only made the hills, but heaven and earth, as well. We should never trust a lesser power than Yahweh. He has us covered and protected from every side. Our help is completely wrapped up in the attributes of our sovereign God. His protection will never cease.
We can depend upon God for help. As we travel through life we are protected, not by anything created, but by the Creator of everything. As long as our foot is anchored on the path of God’s Word, He will see to it that nothing can move it off.
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