A back to school devotional can rest on Psalm 121:7-8, which promises that God guards our lives from harm and watches over every coming and going, now and always. Every school day, God watches over students, parents, and teachers as they leave and return.
Key Verse
“The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:8, ESV)
A Song for the Road
Psalm 121 belongs to the songs of ascents, sung by travelers heading up to Jerusalem. The road was long and sometimes dangerous. The pilgrims lifted their eyes to the hills and asked where help would come from. Their answer: their help would come from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2).
A new school year is a kind of journey too. There are new hallways, new people, and new challenges.
He Will Keep You
The word keep appears again and again in this short psalm. God keeps. He guards, watches, and protects. He does not get tired or fall asleep. While students sit in class and parents work, God is awake and attentive.
Every Coming and Going
That phrase covers the whole rhythm of daily life: leaving the house in the morning and returning in the afternoon. The bus ride, the lunch table, the practice field, and the drive home are all covered by God’s care.
This does not mean nothing hard will ever happen. Psalm 121 does not promise a problem-free year. It promises that God’s people are never outside his watchful care, and that he will keep their lives for eternity.
For Anxious Hearts
Many students feel nervous before school starts. Parents worry too. Bring those feelings to God. Talk about them with each other. If a child seems overwhelmed for more than a few days, talk with a teacher, school counselor, or doctor. Asking for help is wise.
A Blessing for the Year
Psalm 121 makes a beautiful blessing to pray over a child each morning, or to pray for yourself if you are a student or teacher.
New backpacks and schedules can bring both excitement and nerves. Before the first bell rings, take a moment as a family to name your worries out loud and hand them to God together. He is already at the school.
Before the first bell rings, take a moment to hand the year to God. Name the classes, the friendships and the worries, and trust that he goes ahead of you into each one.
Today, Try This
Pray Psalm 121:7-8 aloud over the students in your life, or over yourself, each school morning this week. Use their names.
Reflection Question
What part of the new school year do you most need to entrust to the Lord who keeps you?
Prayer
Lord, you made heaven and earth, and you never sleep. Keep every student, parent, and teacher this year. Watch over our going out and our coming in. Calm anxious hearts and give wisdom, friendship, and courage. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Psalm 121:7-8 mean?
Psalm 121:7-8 (ESV) promises that God watches over his people in every part of daily life, every departure and every return, now and forever.
What is a good Bible verse for back to school?
Psalm 121:7-8 is a great back to school verse because it speaks of God’s care in daily comings and goings. Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 41:10 are also popular.
How can parents pray for kids going back to school?
Pray for safety, wisdom, good friendships, kind teachers, courage, and faith. Praying Scripture like Psalm 121 over children each morning can be a powerful habit.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: Bible verses about peace
- Read more daily devotionals
- The narrow way: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
- Related: our devotional: Devotional for Kids Who Are Bullied
- Related: Devotional for Parents (devotional)
- Related: read: Devotional for Test Anxiety
- Related: First Day of School Devotional: God Holds Your Hand
- Related: Bible Verses About Protection
- Bible Verses About New Beginnings