Real Hope: The Israelites' Playlistعينة

## He Can Be Relied Upon This song shows our help and protection is from God who loves and cares for us, always. Ascents refers to the annual religious pilgrimages to Jerusalem that took worshippers singing to Mount Zion. This psalm provides comfort and assurances that God is close. To sing or say this together provides assurances and joy in what it means to be in a relationship with God the creator, sustainer and redeemer. Read it as four lots of two verses (couplets) and reflect on each pairing. Think about the usage of ‘the Lord’ and ‘watch over’ and be comforted by them. Verses 1–2 confession of trust in the Lord. Verses 3–4 assurance concerning the ever-watching protector. Verses 5–6 assurance concerning unfailing protection. Verses 7–8 assurance concerning all of life. I love this psalm because it provides comfort and assurance in times of joy and mourning, in times of uncertainty and excitement, in times of quietness and in times of gathering. Said in my heart or out loud; God is there, He is with us, He can be relied upon, and He can be trusted. Always. #### Written by DAVID BARKER