Song Deep Dive: Psalm 121 (I Lift My Eyes)
About Psalm 121 – The Traveler’s Song
Psalm 121, arguably the most well-known of the Songs of Ascent, is often referred to as the Traveler’s Song.
If Psalm 120 is the cattle prod that gets you started on the journey, then Psalm 121 asks, “Who’s going with me?”
The answer is clear: the LORD goes with you.
The psalmist says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills.”
Perhaps he was thinking of the hills around Jerusalem, which offered protection from outside threats.
But the hills themselves are not our source of help. They are not our shelter from the storm.
Our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Stephen's Thoughts
This was the second song I wrote from the Songs of Ascent. It flowed very naturally to me because, in my family, Psalm 121 holds a special place. Every morning before school, my mom would gather my sister and me and lead us in reciting this psalm.
It became more than just a morning routine. It was how we began each day, grounded in the promises of God.
The overall goal of the song was to communicate comfort. Not comfort in the idea that life will be easy. Jesus told us it would be hard. The comfort is in the reassurance that God is with you. He provides shade from the scorching sun.
Not long ago, I was watching my daughter at the playground after school. After a while, she walked up to me with her head down and quietly asked, “Can we go home?” She wasn’t feeling well, and I could tell something was wrong.
As we walked together under the hot sun, she looked up at me and said, “Can I stand in your shadow?” Of course, I said yes. I put my arm around her. We walked close together, and I took the heat of the sun.
She was still tired. The sun was still hot. But I was with her. And that made the difference.
That is the promise of Psalm 121: the LORD Himself is your shade, right by your side.
Listen to Psalm 121 (I Lift My Eyes)
Musical Credits
Stephen Vesolich (Guitar, Mandolin, and Vocals)
Lisa Vesolich (Vocals
Stephanie Wilsey (Piano)
Dane Howell (Violin)
© 2025 Stephen Vesolich. All rights reserved.
Lyrics
I lift up my eyes to the Hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from, from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip
He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
I lift up my eyes to the Hills where does my help come from?
My help comes from, from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
The LORD watches over you.
The LORD is your shade at your right hand
Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life;
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Forever, Forevermore, both now and forevermore.
I lift up my eyes to the Hills where does my help come from?
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