The Traveller’s Psalm

David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. – 1 Samuel 23:14 (NIV)

David, being pursued by King Saul, sought refuge in the hills under God’s protection.  Credited as writing most of the songs in the Book of Psalms, it would come as no surprise if the one, which is called the Traveller’s Psalm, was written while David was in the wilderness.

You see, in this Psalm, numbered 121 in the bible, David speaks of looking at the hills as he releases a heartfelt cry for help,

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

He then answers his own question with surety, indicating that he already knew the answer – help comes from the ultimate Helper – the Lord.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

When you cannot find help, when no one is willing to assist, to whom do you turn? Do you just keep asking others for help?

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

Have you ever been in such a predicament? Have you ever fallen alone? In desperation, that may prompt you to ask, like David, “from where does my help come?” and, like David, you must also know that your help comes from the Lord.

Don’t be like the woman with the 12-year haemorrhage who, only after she’d exhausted her resources, went to seek after the Lord for help (see Luke 8:43-48). Your first line of defence must always be the Lord, after all, He is a very present help in trouble (see Psalm 46:1).

We are all travellers on this journey of life, and David, in Psalm 121, reminds us that we do not travel alone; he lets us know that the Lord stands by our sides (v 5) so when trouble comes, for it will (see John 16:33), look to Him for help and be assured that He will provide divine care and protection.

Beloved, you may not be hiding out in the hills but as you travel along life’s journey, when you find yourself in need of help, the Traveller’s Psalm applied to your life, gives you courage in these uncertain, difficult and challenging times when fear can easily overwhelm.

Be assured that the Lord is with you day and night, offering you help, hope and protection, as you come and go both now and forever.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The Traveller’s Psalm” ©2026 April 19, 2026