Psalms121
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?
2 My help cometh from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.
7 Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul.
8 Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore.
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Psalms 121Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 121. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The safety of the godly. (1-8).
vv1-8
We must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes. Shall I depend upon the strength of the hills? upon princes and great men? No; my confidence is in God only. Or, we must lift up our eyes above the hills; we must look to God who makes all earthly things to us what they are. We must see all our help in God; from him we must expect it, in his own way and time. This psalm teaches us to comfort ourselves in the Lord, when difficulties and dangers are greatest. It is almighty wisdom that contrives, and almighty power that works the safety of those that put themselves under God's protection. He is a wakeful, watchful Keeper; he is never weary; he not only does not sleep, but he does not so much as slumber. Under this shade they may sit with delight and assurance. He is always near his people for their protection and refreshment. The right hand is the working hand; let them but turn to their duty, and they shall find God ready to give them success. He will take care that his people shall not fall. Thou shalt not be hurt, neither by the open assaults, nor by the secret attempts of thine enemies. The Lord shall prevent the evil thou fearest, and sanctify, remove, or lighten the evil thou feelest. He will preserve the soul, that it be not defiled by sin, and disturbed by affliction; he will preserve it from perishing eternally. He will keep thee in life and death; going out to thy labour in the morning of thy days, and coming home to thy rest when the evening of old age calls thee in. It is a protection for life. The Spirit, who is their Preserver and Comforter, shall abide with them for ever. Let us be found in our work, assured that the blessings promised in this psalm are ours.
Key Words
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
מַעֲלָה: elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַר: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אַיִן: where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
עֵזֶר: aid
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Psalms 121God standing at the 'right hand' of the needy as their protector and defender.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct linguistic parallel for the covenantal blessing of 'going out and coming in'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts vain looking to the hills for salvation with true help coming from the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Parallel confession in the Songs of Degrees: 'Our help is in the name of the Lord.'
Supported by JFB
God holding the soul in life and not suffering the feet to be moved.
Supported by JFB
Having the Lord at the 'right hand' so that one shall not be moved.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the 'hills' with Zion and Moriah, God's holy mountains of help.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God acting as a strength to the needy, a shadow from the heat.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament fulfillment of God preserving His people from every evil work for His kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the promise of preservation in thy 'coming in' and 'going out'.
Supported by JFB
Christ prays not to take believers out of the world, but to keep them from evil.
Supported by Matthew Henry