David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) the famous missionary and explorer of the continent of Africa, read Psalm 121 which praises God for his protection as we journey doing his will. Livingston read Psalm 121 to his father and sister before setting out for Africa in 1840. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Moffat, wrote him that Psalm 121 was always in her mind as she thought about and prayed for him.” (James Montgomery Boice).
This was very appropriate for Livingston to read as he sailed to Africa. God protected Livingston in his many explorations in Africa. God did not protect Livingston from all danger and hardship, just from all danger and hardship that was not His will. In exploring and opening up Africa to Christianity, sometimes Livingstone waded in swamps up to his neck. His home was destroyed during the Boer War. Livingstone’s wife died of fever on the field. He was maimed by a lion. He traveled hundreds of miles violently sick. He had dysentery and malaria much of his life.
Psalm 121 promises God’s protection for believers. But protection from what? Sickness, hardships, problems, or death? No! The greatest of believers in the center of God’s will suffer all of these problems. The apostle Paul was sick, put in prison three times, betrayed by his closest friends, criticized by the churches he helped (the church at Corinth was vicious), went hungry, and was put to death for his faith. In the midst of all this hardship, he “rejoiced in the Lord” (Phil 4:6). He knew he was in the will of God.
Psalm 121 is part of fifteen psalms called “songs of ascent” or “songs of degrees” or “pilgrim psalms.” Which were probably sung by Jews traveling to Jerusalem for one of the three annual feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and First fruits. These pilgrims sang them as they ascended up to the higher elevation of Jerusalem. This was a difficult and dangerous journey to the place of God’s will.
In Psalm 120, the pilgrim is asking for protection from liars, who consumes his thoughts, as he travels in God’s will.
In Psalm 121, the pilgrim is more focused on the Lord, not on liars, who is his protector. This is progress as he journeyed to the house of God.
In Psalm 122, the pilgrim looks forward to standing in the temple worshiping the Lord.
Finally, in the Psalm 134, last Pilgrim Psalm, the sojourner has arrived at the end of his journey. So shall we. Eventually, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This journey represents the believer’s journey or “walk” as we do God’s will, which requires God’s protection.
I. God only is our protector (121:1-2)
The “hills” or mountains could be a place of retreat (Psalm 11:1 and Mt 24:16). The pilgrim would not retreat from danger but depend on God’s protection. Only the Lord can protect us (121:2) not our even our friends or co-workers. David Livingston had great conflicts with other missionaries. Consequently, Livingston traveled to the interior to work basically apart from other missionaries. We cannot depend on crutches. Sadly, Livingston’s wife became an alcoholic. She was the daughter of another famous missionary, Robert Moffit, whom God used to lead Livingston to Africa.
II. God protects us on our journey (121:3a)
Six times the anonymous pilgrim states that God is our protector (“keeps” and “preserves).” God protects by keeping us from stumbling (as the pilgrim walked over the rocks and hills to get to Jerusalem to worship, he was in danger of stumbling). God can protect us because he never sleeps. God has promised to keep us from falling (Jude 24).
In his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah mocked the idol prophets when Baal did not respond, saying of Baal perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened (1 Kings 18:27). After that great victory, Elijah, fled for his life when he did not see the lasting results he desired. When God doesn’t respond the way we think he should, it is not because he is detached or not listening.
In July of 1871, at Nyanguwe, Livingston saw slave traders massacre on one day hundreds of Africans. Most of these Africans were women. Instead of blaming God of inhuman injustice, he sought to put an end to it.
Shortly after the massacre, God in his providence led reporter Henry Morton Stanley, to find Livingston who had been missing for several years. When Stanley found Livingston he greeted him with the now famous words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" After Stanley returned home, he published accounts of Livingstone’s crusade against slavery which was used of God to help end slavery in Africa.
God protects by shielding us (121:5-6). God is our shadow (91:1). Sometimes, God removes his shield or shadow of protection as in the case of Jonah 4:6 ( same word used by the pilgrim in 121: 5). God provision of protection doesn’t mean we always appropriate that provision. One of Livingstone’s regret was that he did not spend more time with his wife and six children. One of his children died on the field. One of his goals was to discover the source of the Nile River. Which he never did.
Because of Livingstone’s popularity in Britain and Livingston’s appeal to send missionaries to Africa, mission agencies sent teams of missionaries to start works in Africa. Some of the missionaries got sick and died and the teams returned home. This phrase in 121:8 “The Lord shall protect your going out and your coming in” means as you go about the affairs of life (31:2; Josh. 14:11; 1 Kgs 3:7; Ps. 121:8; Isa. 37:28).[1]
We have heard it said that the most dangerous place to be in America is in a mother’s womb because of the success of the abortion industry. The safest place in America is in the will of God. But safety from all that is not his will. After suffering his entire missionary life, his going out and his coming in, Livingstone died at age 59. Livingstone was found dead kneeling by his bed on his knees. Apparently, he died in prayer probably prematurely because of the unsanitary water and food he had to drink and eat.
On December 4, 1857, after being in Africa for 16 years, Livingstone addressed the students of Cambridge University about “leaving the benefits of England behind.” He was repeatedly asked, how did he make all these sacrifices. In his speech, he referred to his “anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger.” But he concluded, “all these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.” Livingston knew, according to Psalm 121, God had protected him from all that was not His will. You and I claim the same promise.
[1] J. A. Thompson. (1974). Deuteronomy: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 5, p. 294) Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.