Songs from the Heart Day 7

Meditate on the Psalms

Reread Psalms 120-121.  

A few years ago, I hung a message board by my front door. I use it as a reminder of truths I want to remember when I walk out that front door into the world. I update the messages monthly, and so far this year, song lyrics have been my messages of choice. 

In January, the reminder came from Taylor Leonhardt’s song Poetry: “I am His poetry; He won’t waste a word.”

February’s message came from Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore and Naomi Rain’s song Firm Foundation: “Rain came, wind blew, but my faith was built on You.” 

We’re still early in March and I haven’t quite made the call, but I’m leaning toward “Today is a day for singing” from A Day for Singing by Mission House. 

We’ve probably all heard the familiar quote, “When words fail, music speaks.” The reality is, that sometimes, song lyrics find a way to speak to our hearts that other forms of communication simply can’t. So, it’s no surprise, then, that the Bible includes a whole book of songs. Psalms is a collection of praises and laments, songs of those on the mountaintop and those in the throes of grief. In the psalms, we find the cries of people who are frustrated and afraid, who feel forgotten and alone or those who can’t wait to proclaim the glory of God. They are the songs of our hearts and our lives, the ups and downs we all muddle through. 

During this first week of Lent, we’ve focused our attention on Psalms 120 and 121. The Psalms of Ascent are 15 psalms that the Jews would sing on their way to worship at the temple during the high holy festivals. As the Jews began their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the first two songs they sang focused on repentance as strangers living in a strange land (Ps. 120) and hope in the Lord (Ps. 121). 

The truth that ties these two psalms together is that the only One who can redeem and rescue is also the One we can fully and completely trust: God. 

How often have you felt like the pilgrim in Psalm 120: “I am tired of living among people who hate peace; I search for peace, but when I speak of peace, they want war!” (New Living Translation)? In a world that doesn’t value what God values, it can be so easy to focus on everything that is wrong in the world and only see the injustice. As the Jewish pilgrims began their journey to the temple, they sought to lift their eyes from the troubles that surrounded them and look to the One who will make all things new. 

The one and only true God is the source of our hope and our help as we live as strangers in a world where we don’t quite fit. He never slumbers or sleeps (Ps. 121:4); He watches over us and protects us day and night (Ps. 121:5-6); He guards you from every evil and knows the days of your life (Ps. 121:7-8). 

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. As you pause from your fasting, lift your eyes from the daily struggles that feel so overwhelming and the injustice you see all around you. Where does your help come from? Your help comes from the Lord. Focus your mind, heart and attention on him today. As He Will Keep You, a song by Sovereign Grace Music that’s based on Psalm 121 declares: “He will keep you from all evil, behind you and before. He will sustain you, through this journey, now and evermore.”