This broadcast was originally filmed and performed on March 17, 2024.

September 8, 2024 - Lift Up Our Eyes

Young Woman

Music

Conductors: Mack Wilberg

Organist: Linda Margetts

Announcer: Derrick Porter

“Let All The World In Every Corner Sing”

Music: Ryan Murphy

Lyrics: George Herbert

“I Know That My Savior Loves Me”

Music: Tami Jeppson Creamer

Lyrics: Tami Jeppson Creamer and Derena Bell

Arrangement: Ryan Murphy

“Trumpet Voluntary” (Organ Solo)

Music: John Stanley

“Softly and Tenderly”

Music and Lyrics: Will L. Thompson

Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

“Lift Thine Eyes” from Elijah

Music: Felix Mendelssohn

Lyrics: Based on Psalm 121

“He, Watching Over Israel”

Music: Felix Mendelssohn

Lyrics: Based on Psalm 121

“O Come Ye Nations of the Earth”

Music: Germany Hymn Tune

Lyrics: David Warner

Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

The Spoken Word

Lift Up Our Eyes

September 8, 2024

Written By Lloyd Newell

Delivered By Derrick Porter

The book of Psalms in the Bible is a collection

of sacred poems of praise and prayer

to God. Many were once set to music; and

today, musicians around the world are

drawn to the psalms for inspiration. So, in a

sense, the book of Psalms is like an ancient

hymnbook, filled with worshipful devotion

to the Most High.

One psalm that has inspired multiple

musical settings contains the promise

that God doesn’t slumber or sleep as He

watches over us.1 In fact, His tender care is

so constant that it’s easy to miss if we’re not

looking for it. And so, the psalmist declares:

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from

whence cometh my help. My help cometh

from the Lord, which made heaven and

earth.”2

Just as God is watching over us, we can

lift up our eyes toward Him. As we do, we’ll

begin to see God’s hand, His divine signature,

in our lives. Often, lifting up our eyes

means looking above and beyond worldly

things toward heavenly things. Other times,

it means looking back with faith on a time

of trouble and heartache, when perhaps it

felt like God wasn’t aware of us. But those

who trust God’s goodness and mercy, even

when they can’t see or feel it clearly, will get

to the other side of their sorrow and find

joy.

That’s what happened for a young

mother when her marriage fell apart.

Suddenly she was a single mother of three

young children, and her worries and burdens

were nearly overwhelming at times.

But she clung to her faith and kept going,

one day at a time. And as she lifted her

eyes heavenward, she found the Lord was

there, offering comfort and strength. Over

time the pain softened, the burdens seemed

a little lighter. Eventually, she felt peace

and healing and even happiness again. Her

trust in God and His goodness carried her

through.

Lifting up our eyes, as the psalmist counseled,

is a way to acknowledge the source of

our help. He who “made heaven and earth”3

can surely make our way forward. He who

is almighty can surely give us strength. We

just need to look for Him and lift up our

eyes.

1. See Psalm 121:3–4.

2. Psalm 121:1–2.

3. Psalm 121:2.