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Psalm 121 is of the series of Psalms known as the ‘Songs of Ascents’ (Psalms 120-134). Traditionally, these psalms were sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for religious festivals. Psalm 121, in particular, has been a source of comfort, revered for its focus on God’s protection and providence.
The opening line, ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help,’ draws the reader into a context of seeking help or relief. The psalmist’s gaze is directed upwards to the hills, a gesture that suggests both a literal looking up to the mountains surrounding Jerusalem and a metaphorical lifting of the soul towards divine help.
The following verse, ‘My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth,’ establishes the source of this help. By recognizing God as the creator of heaven and earth, the psalmist attributes to God both supreme power and a personal interest in human affairs. This acknowledgment of God as the ultimate source of help is cornerstone of faith, encapsulating a deep trust in the divine.
In verses 3 and 4, the psalmist writes, ‘He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.’ These verses offer security, emphasizing God’s constant vigilance and care. Imagery of God who does not sleep is powerful, suggesting unwavering, round-the-clock protection. This contrasts with human frailties; we sleep, we falter, but the psalmist assures us that God’s protective gaze is eternal, unrelenting.
The fifth and sixth verses, ‘The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night,’ further develop this theme of protection. The metaphor of the Lord as a shade is rich in meaning, particularly in the Middle Eastern context where the sun’s heat can be oppressive. This shade is not just a relief from physical discomfort but a metaphor for protection from life’s harsh realities. Reference to the moon not smiting by night speaks to fears and dangers that were often associated with the night; it is a promise of protection from seen and unseen dangers.
In the final two verses, ‘The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore,’ the psalm reaches its climax. The repetition of ‘preserve’ underscores a comprehensive safeguarding of the believer’s life. The promise extends beyond physical well-being to preservation of the soul, indicating spiritual protection. The scope of this preservation is all-encompassing – encompassing all aspects of life, at all times, and for eternity.
Psalm 121 | King James Audio Bible
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121 | King James Audio Bible
Divine Protection: A primary theme of the psalm is the assurance of God’s constant and unwavering protection, emphasized throughout the verses.
God As The Ultimate Helper: The psalmist declares that help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, highlighting God’s omnipotence and willingness to aid.
Unceasing Vigilance Of God: The imagery of God as one who neither slumbers nor sleeps conveys God’s perpetual guardianship over His people.
Protection From All Harm: The promise that the sun and moon will not harm and that God will keep the believer from all evil underscores comprehensive safeguarding, both physical and spiritual.
Continual Preservation: The repetition of God’s preservation in all aspects of life – ‘thy going out and thy coming in’ – symbolizes God’s constant care in every situation and time.
Eternal Assurance: The psalm extends the promise of God’s protection into eternity, suggesting an everlasting commitment to safeguard His followers.
Trust In God’s Care: The psalm reflects a deep trust in God’s providential care, encouraging believers to rely on Him in all circumstances.
Comfort And Reassurance: The psalm offers comfort and reassurance, serving as a reminder of God’s presence and protection in the face of life’s challenges and uncertainties.
Spiritual Journey: The psalm reflects the spiritual journey of the believer, affirming faith in God’s guidance through life’s metaphorical and physical journeys.
In this Easter sermon, Saint Augustine speaks tenderly and passionately to the newly baptized, those who have recently passed through the saving waters of baptism at the Easter Vigil. His words are full of warmth, joy, and hope, as he invites these ‘little children in Christ’ to recognize the extraordinary gift they have received and to live according to the new life that has been planted within them [ … ]
As I pray and reflect on the resurrection of Jesus, I am filled with gratitude and joy. I thank God for his great love for us, for sending his Son to die for our sins, and for raising Jesus from the dead so that we might have eternal life. I pray that I may always walk in the power of Jesus’ resurrection, and that I may be a witness to others of Jesus’ love and grace. Amen [ … ]
YouTube: Ash Wednesday | T.S. Eliot | Audio Christian Poetry | Word Aloud Ash Wednesday, one of T.S. Eliot’s most profound and enigmatic poems, marks a significant transition in his life and work. Written in 1930, it is the first long poem Eliot composed after his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. The poem, often considered one of Eliot’s masterpieces, delves into themes of faith, redemption, and spiritual struggle. It reflects the poet’s personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment and serves as a testament to his newfound religious beliefs. A reading of Ash Wednesday is an exploration of the poem’s religious, literary, and personal contexts, as of the poem’s complex structure and themes. Religious Context And Symbolism Ash Wednesday is deeply embedded in Christian symbolism and tradition. The title refers to the first day of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar, a day marked by penance, fasting, and prayer. Ash Wednesday is a time for reflection on mortality and repentance, themes that are intricately woven throughout the poem. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism profoundly influenced his writing; ‘Ash Wednesday’ is an expression of spiritual awakening and quest for redemption. The poem is replete with religious imagery and references, drawing on Christian doctrine and scripture. The use of liturgical language, biblical allusions, and references to saints and spiritual figures creates a tapestry of faith that invites readers to contemplate deep spiritual truths with which Eliot is grappling. The repetitive and prayer-like quality of the verses echoes meditative practices of the faithful, in part enabling the contemplative nature of the poem. Literary Influences And Techniques T.S. Eliot was a master of literary allusion and technique, and Ash Wednesday expresses Eliot’s ability to blend various influences into a cohesive whole. The poem reflects the influence of Dante, particularly The Divine Comedy, which Eliot admired for its exploration of spiritual ascent and redemption. Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven parallels Eliot’s own spiritual journey, and the structure of Ash Wednesday can be seen as a reflection of this pilgrimage. Eliot’s use of fragmented narrative, a hallmark of his earlier work such as The Waste Land, is also present in Ash Wednesday. However, in this poem, the fragmentation serves a different purpose. Instead of depicting the disintegration of modern society, it mirrors the fragmented and often painful process of spiritual rebirth. The disjointed structure reflects the internal struggle of the speaker, who is torn between the pull of worldly desires and the aspiration for divine grace. The poem’s language is rich and varied, combining the lyrical and the obscure, the personal and the universal. Eliot employs a range of poetic forms and devices, including free verse, rhyme and meter, to convey the tumultuous journey of faith. The shifting tone and style reflect the complexities and contradictions inherent in the spiritual quest, capturing moments of doubt, despair, hope, and transcendence. Personal Significance Ash Wednesday is a deeply personal work. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism marked a profound shift in his life, providing a sense of purpose and direction that had been missing. The poem can be read as a reflection of Eliot’s own struggles with faith and his efforts to reconcile his intellectual skepticism with his desire for spiritual certainty. Eliot’s personal experiences, including his troubled marriage and professional pressures, also inform the poem. Themes of renunciation and acceptance, sin and redemption, are not merely abstract concepts but lived realities for the poet. This personal dimension adds a layer of intimacy and urgency to the poem, which thereby resonates with readers who have faced their own spiritual crises. Thematic Exploration At its core, Ash Wednesday is a meditation on the possibility of spiritual renewal in a world that often seems devoid of meaning. The poem grapples with the tension between faith and doubt, reflecting the existential struggles of modernity. The poem acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining belief in an age of skepticism but ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption and grace. The central theme of renunciation is explored through imagery of ascension and purification. The speaker’s journey is marked by a series of renunciations, symbolizing the shedding of earthly attachments in pursuit of spiritual truth. This process is neither straightforward nor easy; it involves moments of intense struggle and introspection. Yet, through this arduous journey, the speaker moves closer to a state of spiritual clarity and acceptance. Ash Wednesday | T. S. Eliot Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I shall not know The one veritable transitory power Because I cannot drink There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again Because I know that time is always time And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the blessèd face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss Too much explain Because I do not hope to turn again Let these words answer For what is done, not to be done again May the judgement not be too heavy upon us Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still. Pray for us sinners now […]
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