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Psalms 121

Psalms121

World English Bible · Public Domain

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1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth.

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

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 Yahweh is your keeper. Yahweh is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul.

8 Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more.

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Psalms 121

Public-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.

Cross References

Psalms 121
v5Psalms 109:31thematic

God 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

v1Jeremiah 3:23contrast

Contrasts vain looking to the hills for salvation with true help coming from the Lord.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v2Psalms 124:8thematic

Parallel confession in the Songs of Degrees: 'Our help is in the name of the Lord.'

Supported by JFB

v3Psalms 66:9thematic

God holding the soul in life and not suffering the feet to be moved.

Supported by JFB

v5Psalms 16:8thematic

Having the Lord at the 'right hand' so that one shall not be moved.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Psalms 87:1thematic

Identifies the 'hills' with Zion and Moriah, God's holy mountains of help.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Isaiah 25:4thematic

God acting as a strength to the needy, a shadow from the heat.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v72 Timothy 4:18thematic

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

v7John 17:15thematic

Christ prays not to take believers out of the world, but to keep them from evil.

Supported by Matthew Henry