The Warning of Psalm 121: When Hills Become Idols

Navigating the Distractions That Compete for Our Trust

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A Subtle Warning in Familiar Words

In Psalm 121 the Psalmist says he "lifts his eyes to the hills" and wonders if his help will come from there. At first, as we read this, we may think that looking to the hills is a good thing, but the psalmist is actually warning us. Often, throughout Scripture we are told to lift our eyes to the heavens and in doing so be reminded of the greatness and grandeur of God.

But the context here reveals something deeper, something we might miss if we don't understand the cultural and historical setting of these ancient words.