In ancient times, a writer penned words that at first glance seem to convey that he was looking toward mountains for strength. Reading further, however, and understanding the context of the verse, we learn something far deeper.

Some commentators call Psalm 121 the traveler’s psalm and think that perhaps Israel’s King David wrote it when he was preparing to go abroad. It begins, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?” Having traveled for the past two weeks through the vastness of the Canadian Rockies, my husband and I have constantly lifted our eyes to the hills.

We have witnessed the grandeur of majestic mountains, created in ancient times and formed and reformed through centuries of change. Words do no justice to what we have seen, but throughout each day, the towering hills that have hemmed us in have inspired me to think of Psalm 121 on any number of occasions.

As travelers, we depended on the help of others. Our agent with the tour company assisted us throughout the planning process, helping us to think through how best to manage our time and the sights we wanted to see. We depended on others to schedule special excursions, like whale watching and city tours, from thousands of miles away. We depended on airline pilots, rail engineers and bus drivers to transport us safely from place to place.

We depended upon hotel employees to check us in, answer our questions, provide directions and suggestions, transport our baggage and check us out. Ninety-nine percent of the time, everyone did their jobs exceptionally well. As travelers, we were blessed with a trip void of the frustrations that many tourists experience.

Our trip was probably a wonderful exception to the rule – a brief moment in time when everything, almost everything, went according to schedule. Psalm 121, however, addresses those times when circumstances are beyond our control. The initial question, “…where does my help come from?” is often misinterpreted by the belief that the “hills” provide comfort.

Yet in reading on, David proclaims that though he looks to the hills, he knows that his help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Resplendent on the earth are the vast array of mountains that command us to look up. We can’t help but raise our eyes, beholding both their rugged and fertile hillsides as they tower over us.

As we traveled, however, I was continually looking not only up but beyond the high peaks that tower well above any manmade monument. For their sheer splendor, there is no other competitor. I believe David looked beyond the ancient mountains he beheld as well, to the creator who sustained him not only in his travels but throughout a life that included blessings, trials and humiliation.

While no one let us down on this trip, people often do just that. Friends betray us. Circumstances leave us bereft. Experiences leave us destitute. And we, too, ask the question, “...where does my help come from?”

David’s 121st psalm is a gift, born of his own experience, for anyone who has asked, is asking or will ask the same question. The mountains to which I have looked .. and beyond ... have reminded me of David’s confidence, as expressed in the concluding words of Psalm 121.

“He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you ... will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you ... the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

There is just something to looking up. Perhaps we should do it more often.

T&D columnist Harris C. Murray may be reached by email at writeharris55@yahoo.com.

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