It's Tuesday in the "Pastor's Workshop". Glad you're here! I look forward to continuing to explore Psalm 121 with you.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to read and write the Psalm. What did you notice? What captured your attention? How many times was "Keep" or "Keeper" mentioned? (5) How was "Keeper" described? (A Watchman who never falls down or snoozes on the job; Shade in a sunbaked desert; a "Wingman" beside you to make sure you're OK). What images, paraphrases, thoughts did you jot down?

Today we look at the Structure of the Psalm. How is it built? How does its structure carry and convey its message?

Here are a few of my thoughts:

The Psalm starts with a Wondering and a Questioning. I lift up my eyes ... where will my help come from? How pertinent that question is these days!

Then the Psalm moves to an anchor Affirmation. The affirmation is the answer to faith. Our Help is in the name of the Lord. Then the power and majesty of the Lord are underscored as God is portrayed as "Maker of Heaven and Earth".

Following the Affirmation comes three sections with two couplets. Each of the sections details how God helps us as our Keeper. The couplets outline what that means.

For example in verses 3 and 4: Couplet One - The Lord will not let your foot be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber; Couplet Two - Behold, He who keeps Israel will not slumber, nor sleep.

Now see what you can find in verses 5 and 6 and verses 7 and 8. Jot down your answers.

As you go back and look at your answers and look at the structure, how does it not only advance the description of God as Keeper but also, how does it lead you as the reader (the worshipper) into a deeper reassurance of that core truth as it moves along? What do you think? Jot down your thoughts.

The Psalm brings a powerful message of hope to us in days of trouble. As we continue our time in the Workshop my prayer is that we all will experience the strength and peace that this word of faith provides!

Prayer: Lord, you are our Keeper! When we are afraid, when wonder, where will our help, comes from in these difficult times let us hear your Word from your Scripture by your Spirit that would draw us into your heart of love for us and your protective peace of us In Jesus Christ our Lord. In his name, we pray. Amen.

In Christ,

Paul