12. God is Holding Your Life

(Psalm 121)

Psalm 121 is a song of ancient Israel about a God who cares deeply, a God that “watches over our coming and going now and forever” (121.8)

We sing of a God that is ready, willing, and able to help us.

The verses of this song lift up the value of questions while the congregational refrain makes a strong proclamation: “God is holding your life”. The song is for a community to sing to one of its own who is hurting. It’s really kind of a creed-- “we believe,” the song sings—because sometimes we need to lean into our family of faith. Sometimes we need to hear of their trust in God.

At First Lutheran where I serve, we have a healing service that invites everyone to Holy Communion to taste the bread and fruit of the vine, to receive an anointing of oil as a sign of forgiveness and renewal, and to engage a prayer team. It’s one way to care for one another in the midst of deep transitions, and to practice being vulnerable with each other. This song is intended for such a moment—when we can gently proclaim on behalf of anyone who needs to hear it, that our God is a God of deep compassion.

In a period of frailty, what would it mean to you to hear a song of assurance? That God really is here, that the room is full of people who know you and are praying for you. Part of why we worship together is to embody and practice the Christ’s compassion for each other.

Behind the song
As I was finishing this piece, we got news from friends several states away that they were giving birth to their son three months prematurely. It was touch and go for awhile, but he pulled through. As my wife and I sang in the recording studio, it became a blessing to hold his tiny but powerful life.

V1
Lift up your eyes, behold the hills
From where will help and rescue come?
We call on One who made the earth
Who blessed the stars, the moon and sun

Refrain
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
God is holding your life
We believe

V2
Turn down your gaze upon the earth
Where is the One who never sleeps
We call on One who guards you now
Your spirit safe in holy keep

V3
Venturing out or coming home
‘Neath heat of day or cool of night
We call on One who hears your voice
And comes to heal and keep your life