This particular “Song of Ascent” is known also as a “Song of
Trust,” a psalm that declares trust in God.
This trust, which is a relational component, has been formed through the
peaks and valley of life, those times of disorientation and re-orientation that
chart their way through the Psalms. This
psalm opens with a call-and-response structure.
The opening verse (v. 1) is the question posed by the poet and the
liturgist. Springing up from a lifetime
of memories, the poet asks the congregation if they ascent to his question, hoping
they hold trust in the same God that he does.
Thus, the natural expression is that “My help comes from YHWH!”
The remaining verses
of this “Song of Trust” proclaims three elements of God’s nature that have
served as the foundation for that trust.
In these verses, the poet notes that he trusts God’s direction. The imagery in the first line (v. 3a) is that
of God “keeping” the steps of the worshipper, much like a parent who helps a
toddler take steps by clasping their hands around the child’s ankles and helping
her learn the motion of walking. The imagery
of the remaining three lines (v. 3b-4) is that of God carrying the worshipper
while the worshipper slumbers, much like the tales of mythical beasts carrying
their wards in their arms or on their backs.
In v. 5-6, the
poet notes that he trusts God’s provision. In the New Revised Standard Version, the
phrase “keeps” is repeated in each elemental passage. Whereas the previous passage focused on God “keeping”
the poet’s feet on the correct path, this passage focuses on God “keeping” the
poet provided for. Generally we think of
provision as dealing with food or drink, however the tale of Jonah seems to
hint in the background here as the poet trusts God to provide shade in the heat
and shelter during the night (cf., Jonah 4:6).
In v. 7-8, the
poet notes that he trusts God’s protection. Here we see a more intimate nature of God’s “keeping.” Drawing from more pastoral imagery, God is
the worshipper’s shepherd, laying down in the gateway of the sheep pen, “keeping”
the sheep in and “keeping” the thief out.
It is this imagery that inspired Jesus’ “I am the gate” teaching in John
10:7-10. God does not simply nurse the
wounds of the worshipper; God risks God’s own life to “keep” the worshipper
safe. In concluding his words here, the
poet articulates that God is worth our trust because God directs, provides and
protects us.
Articulating trust in God is easy when times are good and
plentiful, yet harder when times are difficult and lean. This psalm provides a structure for prayer in
times when our trust in God is low, when our guilt rises and our faith wanes. Begin
by asking yourself the call of the opening verse: “From where does my help
come?” If you can honestly state that
your help comes from God, remind yourself of why you trust God by thanking God
for God’s direction, provision and protection.
