“I lift up my eyes to the hills,” begins Psalm 121, “from where will my help come?”
Although no one knows the precise circumstances that prompt this cry for help, the image I’ve always had is of someone in a dire situation, anxiously scanning the horizon for assistance. But have you wondered why this individual is looking up to the hills? I’ve heard of people heading for the hills when they are in trouble, but never looking to the hills. What exactly did this person expect to find, perched up there in the high altitude, which would have been of any benefit at all?
The answer may be that, when this psalm was originally written, Palestine was overrun with pagan worship. There was a veritable smorgasbord of foreign deities. If you were uncertain about this season’s crop harvest, for example, just pay a visit to the rain god. If you’re looking for an heir, try the fertility goddess.
Many of these pagan rituals were performed on the top of hills and mountains, because people believed that the higher up you got, the closer you were to the gods. Indeed, it was often said that the more challenging and arduous the climb, the more sincere and ardent the worshipper!
So, in effect, what the psalmist is asking, as he looks up at these remote shrines on the hilltops, is: “To whom shall I go for help?” Baal? Asherah? Serapis? Where should I place my trust?
To state the question in more contemporary terms, it is a little like asking, “Where will I find true security?” In my stock portfolio? My high-powered corporate career? My luxury home? My clean bill of health?
What the psalmist finally concludes is that it’s none of the above. Simply put, we don’t need to look over hill and dale for help, because our help comes from the One who is already looking out for us. God alone is the creator of heaven and earth—and what God creates, God takes care of.
That’s worth remembering the next time you happen to find yourself in a dark valley, anxiously looking up at the hilltops for help. Unlike the pagan idols of ancient Palestine, our God is not way up there out of reach. No climbing is necessary! Even in the darkest of valleys, God will always be right there beside us.
Although no one knows the precise circumstances that prompt this cry for help, the image I’ve always had is of someone in a dire situation, anxiously scanning the horizon for assistance. But have you wondered why this individual is looking up to the hills? I’ve heard of people heading for the hills when they are in trouble, but never looking to the hills. What exactly did this person expect to find, perched up there in the high altitude, which would have been of any benefit at all?
The answer may be that, when this psalm was originally written, Palestine was overrun with pagan worship. There was a veritable smorgasbord of foreign deities. If you were uncertain about this season’s crop harvest, for example, just pay a visit to the rain god. If you’re looking for an heir, try the fertility goddess.
Many of these pagan rituals were performed on the top of hills and mountains, because people believed that the higher up you got, the closer you were to the gods. Indeed, it was often said that the more challenging and arduous the climb, the more sincere and ardent the worshipper!
So, in effect, what the psalmist is asking, as he looks up at these remote shrines on the hilltops, is: “To whom shall I go for help?” Baal? Asherah? Serapis? Where should I place my trust?
To state the question in more contemporary terms, it is a little like asking, “Where will I find true security?” In my stock portfolio? My high-powered corporate career? My luxury home? My clean bill of health?
What the psalmist finally concludes is that it’s none of the above. Simply put, we don’t need to look over hill and dale for help, because our help comes from the One who is already looking out for us. God alone is the creator of heaven and earth—and what God creates, God takes care of.
That’s worth remembering the next time you happen to find yourself in a dark valley, anxiously looking up at the hilltops for help. Unlike the pagan idols of ancient Palestine, our God is not way up there out of reach. No climbing is necessary! Even in the darkest of valleys, God will always be right there beside us.
posted by Dr. Robert Crilley at
5:52 PM
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