Psalms Chapter 121 A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, 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 The LORD is your keeper. The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul.
8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more.
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Psalms Chapter 121 A Song of Ascents. Guide
This song, so full of beauty, marks another stage in the approach of the worshiper in that it sets forth his assurance of the present help of Jehovah. The singer is still far from the appointed place of worship, lifting his eyes toward the distant mountains. He is not far from Jehovah, however. In Jehovah's keeping, even though far from the centre of external worship, the pilgrim realizes his safety. He lifts his longing eyes toward the mountains of Zion, where stands the house of his God, and asks:
From whence shall my help come?
Not from those mountains, precious as they are, but from Jehovah, who is with him even in the valley of distance. He then addresses the singer's heart with words of comfort and assurance. Jehovah keeps His children safe, never slumbering or sleeping in His faithful vigil.
The stately sentences which describe the tender care of Jehovah need no exposition. They are the common language of all who know Jehovah. These two psalms, revealing as they do the consciousness of the difficulty of exile and the heart's confidence in Jehovah prepare for the outburst of the next song for approach to the place of worship as the day dawns.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Psalms Chapter 121 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The safety of the godly.
Verses 1-8
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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.