Read the Psalm

Our looking to the Lord for help is deepened with an invitation is to contemplate (notice the word “behold” in verse 4). We find the word behold through the Old and New Testament writings and it connects with the reality that what we put before our eyes is what shapes us. In Psalm 101:3, King David prays: “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.” (NASB) This is coupled with verse 2 says “I will ponder the way that is blameless.” Then, this is contrasted with those who slander, have arrogant hearts, and practice deceit.

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we read: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” Author and theologian William McNamara defined contemplation as “a long, loving look at the real.” 

As we look at the One who is the maker of heaven and earth, we experience transformation. It has been said that “If we don’t know how to contemplate, we will manipulate.” As we contemplate God, we are letting go of the reactions and attempts to self-protect and manage our lives. Manipulation may seem like a strong word, but it refers to those ways that we approach life and others through either active or passive means.

As we consider the “beholding” or contemplation of Psalm 121, at the heart of it is the reality that the Lord does not slumber or sleep. He is paying attention. In a very real way, we might say that he is contemplating us. He is always holding us in His awareness. He never stops. He never “leaves us or forsake us.” (cf., Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6) So, the invitation to behold Him is a response to something He is already doing with us.

We are encouraged to live in response to our awareness of Him beholding us.

And how specifically is He beholding us? In love and with affection. Zephaniah 3;17 paints quite a picture:

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.”

Can you receive that? His gladness. His love. His exultation. In these words, there seems to be an eager anticipation and desire. As we consider the reality that God “saves” us or delivers us, we are drawn to think about what He is delivering us from and how He does it. 

He delivers us from a life that is experienced as separate from Him. He delivers us from the distress as well as our temptations to deal with distress ourselves: through war and deceit (in its various forms). 

His deliverance and saving comes through His love. As we know and experience His love, we let go of the weapons we’ve taken up and instead take hold of His hand. In 1 John 3:1-3, we are encouraged to behold the love of God:

“See (or, behold/contemplate) what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

As we contemplate Him and hope in Him, we experience transformation.

Reflection questions: What do you experience as you ponder that God is pondering you? How does God’s contemplation of you in love shift the posture of your heart and mind? What might the Lord be inviting for you? Sit for at least five minutes in loving awareness of the God who is lovingly aware of you.

Prayer: Lord, may I put no worthless thing before my eyes, but only You – the One who loves me and exults over me with singing. As I encounter my need for help, give me eyes to see Your loving presence. Amen.