I was asked to read Psalm 121 for a memorial service for a dear friend. 

I was a bit anxious, fearing failure: would I stutter or lose my place while reading, might I not emphasize the right words, or misread the punctuation? There were many places where one could fall short. 

I pondered and prayed, and I knew this unease was fear of exposing weakness. Effective speaking happens when attention shifts away from self and toward service.  Expressing God’s word publicly is an honor, so I became devoted to this Song of Ascents as I practiced it aloud in the days preparing. Psalm 121 has only eight verses and my trepidation about speaking them clearly with meaning lessened as I practiced each day. It became my eight verses of gratitude to the Holy for my friend. 

Effort aligns with what you deeply value and believe. A deep purpose penetrated my heart that would not have been attainable unless, like the Israelites, I recited these words with frequency. It became my “shade on my right hand.” I went from struggling to express God’s word to becoming devoted to honoring Him. 

There was a last-minute request to read from a different translation. Last-minute prayer. My devotion dismissed any burden of change, for I knew there was a plan. Afterward, the priest told me I have a good voice for public speaking. I smiled and thanked him and Him. 

𝓟𝓼𝓪𝓵𝓶 121 — 𝓐 𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓸𝓯 𝓐𝓼𝓬𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓼

 I will lift up my eyes to the hills– From whence comes my help?

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

 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.