Thoughts and prayer on Psalm 121

*** Der deutsche Originaltext wurde gestern eingestellt.  

Elke from Lemgo sent some thoughts on Psalm 121. At many places, peape rejoice in new found freedom, and some may rejoice a little to close to each other. Elsewhere, infections rise and in consequence the necessary restrictions, the lockdowns and unemployment. The psalmist knew the afflictions a person can fall into and directs his laments and pleas to God.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?

Often, I feel desperate and look for help in my life

In these moments, I feel alone, misunderstood, unable to cope.

I worry about this world.

War, terror, hate and displacement... and now Corona – it scares me.

Who can help, where will help come from?

I look and I lift up my eyer to the mountains, I sense: my help comes from above

And I call out each day: Where are you, God?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Yes, help can only come from God, who made heaven and earth

His earth is a glorious wonder:

Sky, earth, air and ocean:

In this beautiful summer time, ripening fruit, luscious green.

Sun, moon and stars.

Animals in glorious diversity and human beings of all colours.

This creator alone can be my help.

Praise and thanks to him.

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

God is with me at all times.

Sometimes I don’t even notice.

Sometimes I yearn for God.

Sometimes I feel God, as I feel my own breath and heartbeat.

God protects people.

I am protected in God’s arms – at all times.

Thanks be to him.

…indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

My protector takes care that I do not burn in the storms of life.

As so often he did not let his people Israel perish, he gives me life.

Yes, it  may be hard to believe sometimes, especially if my life in under threat.

Yes, I cry out:

God, are you really not asleep?

Are you always there?

Why so much suffering?

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

And yet, God gives me cool shade, provides what I need.

He watches over my hand, sees what I do.

When my actions become impossible, I hope God will intervene

I pray: God, grant me thy spirit

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

Too much sun: burns, sickness and collapse.

By the light of day: I am close to disaster

My God is before me.

Too much of the moon – me a lunatic, a sleepwalker about to crash,

So close to death and yet:

My God is stronger.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—    he will watch over your life.

My God is stronger than all evil.

His Love shines through all darkness.

And so my soul is saved and free.

I can wait in serenity, whatever may come my way.

And at the end of times, I may see you, great loving God

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I believe:

You are here, God

Today, tomorrow, in the beginning, in the end and at all times

Sensible and hidden,

in joy and in suffering

always and everywhere

Hallelujah, Amen.