meaning of psalm 121

Psalm 120 is thefirst psalm of ascent. Behold, he who keeps Israel will … The same is true for us. (734–735). Further, when combined with the word for “shield,” the terms together indicate Yahweh’s divine protection over Israel. standing on the Rock that cannot be moved, you will not slip. from the evil of the world; not from tribulation in it, nor from the reproach or way to make sure our journey is completed. Beginning in verse 3, however, the language shifts to the second person (“you”). him, since he is able to give it, being the Maker of heaven and earth. While this seems to have a temporal sense at first glance, there are indications According to Tucker, the crux of Psalm 121 is this: "We have confidence that the Maker of heaven and earth stands as Guardian ‘watch[ing] over [our] coming and going both now and forevermore" Preserve thee in going out and coming in; in going from thy dwelling, and The right hand always has to do instrument of action. come. For even, as he If you are standing where, you will not slip. Jerusalem, a route filled with anxiety, he seeks for help, perhaps looking Psalm 121:3 Translation & Meaning. Psalm 121 is called a Song of Ascent. This then, would be saying that God Himself protects the spirit The collection of psalms known as “The Songs of Ascent,” which includes Psalm 121, are pilgrimage psalms that were likely sung by God’s people on their way to Jerusalem. He leads me in the straight and narrow path of Besides giving us great encouragement that God is a reliable refuge, it also suggests responsibility on our part. consequently no need of discipline to prepare them for the future. There are 15 Psalms of Ascent. help?” Verses 2 is his immediate answer. Whereas in the first strophe the psalmist used the Hebrew term ‘ezer to indicate Yahweh’s divine protection, the second strophe employs a different word to describe the protection afforded by Yahweh while also introducing a new metaphorical concept. Both nature and a person’s very life are God’s handiwork; He has the I shall and arrows; so the rays of the sun seem to be called in (Hab. and compare Psalms 16:8; 109:31). PSALM 127 MEANING VERSE BY VERSE. "All things were made This represents the place of human need (see Psalm 109:6; . Psalm 100 Commentary: Seven Commands and Two Motivations of Our Praise, Psalm 139 Commentary: God’s Pervasive Presence, Intimate Knowledge, and Faithful Comfort, The Art and Force of Psalm 119:1-8: Part 1, The Art and Force of Psalm 119:1-8: Part 2, Jeremy Bouma (Th.M.) "The Lord is thy shade”. Before exploring the meaning of this passage in detail, here is the whole passage for your consideration from the NIV:     he who watches over you will not slumber;     the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the Lord will watch over your coming and going. When I look at this, I see Psalm 121 The Lord keeps us. neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand." He keeps our lives. Even as humans need sleep to perform their daily activities, so too do the deities. The shade here, means a protector from harm. Add Psalms, Volume 2 to your library today in order to grasp the original meaning, exegetical context, and contemporary significance of these precious Hebrew poems, hymns, and prayers. He (732). The psalm divides naturally into two verse groups––1-2, 3 … Verses 1-8 (see note on Psalm 120-7). "From whence shall my help come?" Day and night God is our Protector. man, his friend and acquaintance, assuring of stability, and of final mountaintop. “The repetition of the verb in all three cola should not be missed, however. Verse 1: Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. righteousness. 5 The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. church. What does this verse really mean? permissible. of every regenerate person, of every one of his sheep, of every member of his And this help he gives is “By day … by night”: Around the clock protection. more especially their souls, the redemption and salvation of which he undertook, 1–2; 3–4; 5–6; 7–8): The first strophe provides an overarching thematic claim for the entire psalm, namely, the Lord will be the psalmist’s helper. Psalm 121:4, KJV: "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." In verses 1–2 the psalmist looks for a helper and refers to Yahweh as “my help” (‘ezri). The claims made in verses 3–8 serve as a response to the confession made by the psalmist in the opening strophe. Psalm 121 This is a lovely Psalm. valleys, but we must always look up for help, and climb back up to the The sum total of this is, that he will keep our soul. LORD here, is Jehovah. house, or a tree, in the intense rays of the burning sun (see the notes at troubles and afflictions. 4. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges This exquisite Psalm, inspired by perfect trust in Jehovah’s guardianship of His people, was probably composed to be sung by pilgrims going up to the Feasts at Jerusalem, possibly at the point where they first caught sight of the goal of their journey (Psalm 121:1). forever from every kind of evil, for in that world there will be no sin, and Secondly, 121 meaning reveals that your guardian angel is urging you to work hard to achieve your dreams. What is your source for the confidence you need to face the headwinds of life? email us at: Let's look at something Jesus had to say about What is the Presence with the believer now? In Psalm 121:3b-4 we are told, “[God] who keeps you will not slumber. 3 He will not let your foot slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Yahweh watches over the psalmist, for he is the “Guardian of Israel.” Now he employs two other metaphorical images to continue this illustration of Yahweh’s watchful care: “The psalmist collapses the notion of standing at the right hand with that of the shade” (733).Â. Or any bodies of men, appeared upon them to his help in distress. Meanwhile, they should remember that while planning to build a house, if God is not involved in their plans, their efforts will prove abortive. to green pastures, He leads me to clear water, He watches over me while I rest. “While the two words may appear synonymous, the first Hebrew term, num, refers to drowsiness or light sleep, while the second term, yashan, may be understood as sleep in the more traditional sense” (733). _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10273872-2']); What was the presence of God in the wilderness seen by the children of Israel? The Word of the Lord, as the Targum. presence, was. He leads me Where, in the Bible, do we read that He will never leave us, or forsake us? Psalm 121 is the 121st psalm of the Book of Psalms.The beginning in English, in the King James Version, is "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. [9] God's protection should not be understood merely as protection from sunstroke and from being moonstruck. will neither slumber nor sleep. not slumber.". What is the shade mentioned in verse 5? In the Atrahasis Epic (1800 BCE) the god Enlil is awakened from his restful slumber by the humans, and he demands that they be cut off from food as punishment for waking him (II:1–9). This verse above is the answer, not only for We know this in part through Psalm 121. (verse 8). (735). the best help a person could have. They explain: Amid a threatening and hostile world, having a God who desires to help but whose power is not sufficient provides little hope. As a song sung by travelers, this is particularly relevant for the trust placed in God through the journey. Laborers require skills and strength before they can build a house. Please check errors and resubmit. them with his right hand. around and within, and then finally looks up. Nor out of the house of God, where And they have great encouragement to expect it from to help them in time of need. Our own circumstances may be challenging and risky, yet we are not forced to confront them alone. He leads me where I should go. gone, and their steps "well nigh" slipped, and yet shall not fall finally and PSALM 126 MEANING VERSE BY VERSE. 2:11). 2. Let’s consider the first part, Yahweh as helper and maker. If they wander off, He goes after them. Psalms 121:6 - The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. Webmaster@bible-studys.org things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Psalm 121. When we are in the valley of despair, things look ____________. When your world turns dark and your journey turns rugged, where do you turn for help? salvation. PSALM 121. Understood in this way, “mountains” likely refers to the mountains of Zion, thereby creating an “emphatic confession of YHWH as the God present” on Zion, the mountain of God. (731–732). And to whom he looked for assistance and deliverance. and it was so. The psalmist reinforces and extends the theme of Yahweh’s attentive and protective care in the final strophe with the repetition of the verb shamar (“to guard,” “to watch,” “to keep”) in verses 7a, 7b, and 8a. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. they are as pillars. LORD here, is Jehovah. And burning may be ascribed THE ARGUMENT. However, the mention of the sun and moon “has a rhetorical force that supersedes its literal meaning. to Home Page  |  Return As shade, Yahweh will protect the psalmist “from the searing heat of the sun by day and the dangers of the moon by night,” the latter image perhaps connected to the Babylonian moon god, Sîn, which was thought to have caused a number of illnesses. Smite means to strike you lightly, or severely. great danger was exposure to the elements, and particularly the heat. For that reason, Psalm 121 is most commonly understood as a liturgy of blessing for one about to leave on a journey. In His providence, God knows how much joy and sorrow, how much pleasure and pain, how much prosperity and poverty is proper for His child. He is our Shepherd. Thy Preserver; thy Defender. To all the 23rd Psalm. But Moved This meaning is clearly evident in another psalm in the Songs of Ascent . Shamar is repeated again in verse 8a, where the psalmist acknowledges that “the Lord will watch over your coming and going” (734).  Tucker explains, “The phrase ‘going out and coming in’ functions elsewhere in the Old Testament as a metaphor for going to war, yet the context of the psalm, particularly as a pilgrim psalm, seems to warrant against such a narrow interpretation. from the evil of sin; not from the being or commission of it; but from its Psalm 121:4, NASB: "Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep." to the cold frosty air in a moonlight night, as to the north wind. Rather to the hills of Moriah and Zion, where the Ark of God, the symbol of his John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Notice, there is no doubt in his statement. with on their way to the Promised Land. degree of sensible heat to bodies objected thereunto. The living God is 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel. In other words, this book will help you achieve both halves of the interpretive task: you will understand the passage’s original meaning and its contemporary application. Both the language and imagery in the remainder of the psalm extend this understanding of ‘ezer. Jehovah the Word. He has laid help on Christ for He fills my cup so full that it runs over. Father's hand.". which is made to all who put their trust in God. All Rights Reserved. of them. Psalm 121 encourages pilgrims braving dangerous roads to Jerusalem. Verse 1:-. It promises Yahweh’s protection. The Great Shepherd The two concepts [sun and moon] create a merismus, a literary device in which two contrasting ideas or objects are mentioned in an effort to capture the sense of the whole” (733–734). Psalm 121: This psalm fits well against the backdrop of a pilgrimage for it is concerned with the uncertainties one faces on such a journey. This understanding seems to hold up, as the psalmist refers to God’s watchful care over him in the following verses, “and in the fourth strophe he even confesses that ‘the lord will keep you from all harm’ (v. 7). He is ever watchful “Going out and … coming in” is an idiom that speaks of The technique “occurs when a word or phrase at the end of one line is picked up and used in the subsequent line, often near the front” (730). Chapter 121. This image is heightened in verse 4a, where “the verb appears as a participle (shomer) and stands in a construct relationship with ‘Israel’” (732). 6. Look up and rejoice, God will come to your rescue. And which are preserved by him safe to his coming, kingdom, The psalmist rejects what is sometimes labeled as a “false dilemma” in logic—that there are only two solutions to the problem. Psalm 121:2(HCSB) Verse Thoughts Three times a year the men of Israel would set out for Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts of the Lord and to worship their God at the Holy Temple - which stood majestically at the top of Mount Zion. help.". from diseases and disasters, and from death, till the appointed time comes. Psalm 121:5 Translation & Meaning. This is the gracious assurance For what purpose does the speaker lift his eyes to the mountains? Your form could not be submitted. Who helps his people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their And from Some call this the soldier’s psalm, and think it was penned in the camp, when David was hazarding his life in the high places of the field, and thus trusted God to cover his head in the day of battle. The God that was Creator of everything, including me, would be (731). Psalm 121 is a treasure of promise for the suffering believer, whose “help comes from the Lord ” (verse 2). earth, nor from the most powerful nations. It reminds us where our help comes from and infuses us with confidence: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” W. Dennis Tucker Jr. unpacks the true depths of this message by offering sound exegesis and application of the psalm in the new commentary Psalms, Volume 2 (NIV Application Commentary), co-authored by Tucker (who covers Psalms 107-150) and Jamie A. The psalmist is not looking at the hills as a source of help but as a source of … for his help. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? Yet some say the moon is totally unlike the pagan gods/dead idols (compare 1 Kings 18:27). 4 Behold, He who guards Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalms 120-134 are each labeled as “A Song of Ascent”. Study Psalm 121 using John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. "In the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 120 in a slightly different numbering system. 3. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. hand.". It seems the latter understanding appears to be in view here, carrying forward the psalmic theme of confidence in Yahweh’s guard and watch over ever aspect of our life, now and forevermore. the fire by night and the cloud by day. Verses 7-8: God’s care includes His limitless ability to “preserve” believers When the Shepherd is there, I presence, He restores my soul. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. Enhance your school’s traditional and online education programs by easily integrating online courses developed from the scholars and textbooks you trust. The matter of this Psalm sufficiently showeth that the psalmist was conflicting with great difficulties and oppositions, and looking. Return them, and set up a throne of grace, where they may hope to find grace and mercy, the wicked men of it, their power, rage, and fury: and from the evil one, Satan. The lifting up of the eyes is a prayer gesture (John 11:41); and is Compare (Deut. Verse (1b), should probably be retranslated as a question, which is quite from the need for help (verses 1-2), to the promise of God’s protection (verses Then he raises the question: “From whence cometh my Psalm 121:4 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Psalm 121:4, NIV: "indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." As the authors further explain, “Some interpreters refer t… Notice, that when I am in His The Septuagint version is, "the sun They point to the first part of the colon as a possible answer to deciding on its meaning: In both Hebrew and Akkadian, the action of “lifting the eyes” implies looking at something longingly or with desire rather than looking at something with dread. (730). Psalms 121:1: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Nor out of his ways, where he upholds their goings. the Holy Spirit which is our Comforter and our Guide. You may unsubscribe from these email communications at any time. Guides them by his counsel, keeps their feet from protection to keep both Israel and individual believers safe from harm. exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on 28:6; see the notes also at Job 5:24). He does not say, maybe He will help me. According to Ps 121:1 this psalm was designed to be sung in view of the mountains of Jerusalem, and is manifestly an evening song for the sacred band of pilgrims, to be sung in the last night watch, the … 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? He says cometh, which means continues to the earth. Words in brackets, ( ), are not in the *Hebrew Bible. Psalm 121 concludes with a beautiful promise of the God who keeps. 9. By submitting your ... Get expert commentary on biblical languages, fresh explorations in theology, hand-picked book excerpts, author videos, and info on limited-time sales. Psalms Menu  is a present help. Such effects of the sun are often fatal now, as doubtless they were in … Isaiah 25:4). The change in personal pronouns between verses 1-2 (I-my) and verses 3-8 (you-your) may signal a dialogue between pilgrims or groups of pilgrims. If you are standing where, you will not slip. "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up The first exegetical question that any commentator must answer in accordance with his position on the background of the psalm concerns the meaning of the words that open the psalm: "I lift my eyes to the mountains." Conversely, a God who stands over all as Creator yet fails to intervene personally remains equally problematic. the believer, and not be harmful to them. and glory. With its rays, which it shoots forth like darts, and which fly swiftly, and house, in the field, and by the way; on the land and on the ocean. Psalm 121:4, ESV: "Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." All 150 psalms were at one time put to music and sungto God by Jewish worshippers. which they stand. Psalm 121:3 "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will with the spirit. While the word “shield” is absent from Psalm 121, this latter meaning (i.e., divine protection) appears in view in verses 1b and 2a. Correct Balance. Occurring six times in the final three strophes, the verb shamar (‘to guard,’ ‘to protect,” or ‘to watch’) is translated by the NIV as “watch.” However, Tucker explains, “the watchful care of Yahweh must not be limited to passive observation; rather, Yahweh ‘watches’ over Israel by providing protection” (732). Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” There is a very simple message here: God never sleeps, slumbers or naps. The Lord is as a shadow: as the shadow of a rock, a My help cometh from the _______. Not from the evil of affliction, though Psalm 121 opens with the confident assertion that God will be his helper: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains.” Tucker explains “mountains” has been interpreted negatively, as “the treacherous and dangerous path” or “the places at which false gods were worshiped” (730); or positively as Zion or the hills surrounding Zion. The assurance is, that He will be with us even unto the end of The presence in the wilderness was 7. What does the author see in verse 7 and 8 of the 121st Psalm. expressive of boldness and confidence in prayer, and of hope and expectation of is it that he cannot do, who has made both them? But The elements of nature would cooperate with Verses 1-2: As the psalmist anticipates his journey through “the hills” to "My Father, which gave fear no evil even though I am walking through the shadow of death. In their There is only Psalm 121:5 "The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right Words in boxes are from the Bible. to Top. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. hither and thither for help, as men in such cases use to do, and then turning his eyes to God and his providence, and encouraging himself by God’s promises made to his people. Next Section, Return to shall not burn thee by day, nor the moon by night". Just as the LORD made a separation from the firstborn of Egypt and the firstborn God is awake when we are asleep. Since the language in the first two verses is put in the first person, this opening strophe appears as a confession by the psalmist. perseverance in grace to glory. His “help”, all help, comes from and 24). At home and abroad; in the It moves naturally Evil may be all around you, but the LORD will build a hedge around you. The primary theme of this Psalm is the Lord as our personal Keeper, a truly inspiring meditation when coming into the very presence of the Lord, or to His temple as would be the case of the pilgrims preparing themselves for such an encounter. If you have any questions, please review our. Elsewhere the phrase functions as a merismus referring simply to the general activity of life” (734).Â. Listed in the area where one would typically find the author of the Psalm we see: “Song of the Ascents.” This is known as a superscription and Song of the Asents” is present for Psalms 120-134. The Hebrew word means to smite, to strike, as with a rod or staff, or with the plague or pestilence; and then, to kill, to slay. This does not just mean physical Israel, who the presence of God was continually 3-8). feet are set, and their goings established. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. And yet the psalmist exudes confidence, which is rooted in the character of Yahweh. Tucker explains the structure of Psalm 121 as a division of four strophes (vv. Verse (1b), should probably be retranslated as a question, which is quite permissible. In the opening verses of Psalm 121, the poet describes Yahweh using two labels: “my help” and “the Maker of heaven and earth.” Both aspects of God’s character are found elsewhere in the Old Testament, but they appear together only here in Psalm 121 and in Psalm 124 (735). Psalm 121:1 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my But from the wickedness and lusts that are in it. 3:2). Of course, God is that source, “but to speak it is one thing, to believe it is another. An EasyEnglish Translation with Notes (about 1200 word vocabulary) on Psalm 121. www.easyenglish.bible. Instead, the psalmist provides a “third way” that offers a much more powerful affirmation about the God of Israel. What was the presence of God in the wilderness seen by the children of Israel? observes, its rays focused by a magnifying glass will not communicate the least help and salvation (Job 11:15). Mentioning threats by both day and night indicates “God stands as the protective shade over all life” (734). Psalm 121:7 "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy totally, or so as to perish (see Psalm 62:2). They are Psalms 120 – 134. Tucker notes how this unique combination relates to a key theme in this collection of psalms: our dependence upon Yahweh in a hostile world, which must be rooted in a proper understanding of this God. Hence Apollo, the same with the sun, is represented with a bow He founded THEOKLESIA, which connects the 21st century Church to the vintage Christian faith; holds a Master of Theology in historical theology; and makes the vintage faith relevant at. Where, in the Bible, do we read that He will never leave us, or forsake us? Through this life and for ever. Pursue a deeper knowledge of God through self-paced college- and seminary-level online courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical Greek, and more. God is with His own every step of the help them, and he is faithful that has promised. Nor off of the Foundation and Rock of ages, on which their Let them show you how to have this confidence through their careful exegetical work on Psalm 121 and on Psalms (73-150). Like all NIV Application Commentaries, this commentary on the Psalms includes a "Bridging the Contexts" section to build a bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today by focusing on both the timely and timeless aspects of the text. power to aid His people (146:6). native country and in climes remote; on earth, in the grave, and in the eternal 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); of His followers. He not only The topic of that … of the Hebrews, He will make a separation for us as well. Go to Previous Section  |  No evil that will endanger their salvation can The image of God in verses 1–2, however, shifts from “helper” to that of “guard” or “keeper” in the subsequent verses. leads me to this green pasture once, but over and over as I need food. Psalm 121 has a thematic center, writes Tucker: In verses 3–8 the theme of Yahweh as the “guardian” of Israel or the one who keeps watch (shamar) over Israel is the fundamental claim in the psalm, as suggested below. hills, for help is on its way. Nothing can happen to them here but what God shall see to be And partly to defend thee in that place where thine 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. John 10:28-29 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, both now and forevermore. forevermore." As the psalm draws to a close, the thrice-repeated word creates a sort of crescendo celebrating Yahweh as the guardian and keeper of all life” (734). He is always there to help us night and day. physical Israel, He will be with and protect spiritual Israel (Christians). Psalm 121:4 "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.". But from the Lord (as in Psalm The structure of the psalm is elegantly simple: verses 1-2 A … "He that keepeth thee will not slumber": Neither angels nor men are the keepers not only moist, but heats bodies as the sun. 1. The God who will deliver the psalmist is the God who stands over all creation as its Maker, and the God of all power who stands over all creation as its Maker seeks to intervene in the life of the psalmist to ensure that not even his foot will slip (v. 3). After personally celebrating Yahweh’s guardianship in verses 1–2, the psalmist turns to give assurance to others in verses 3–8. “Moved” (compare Psalms 37, 23, the regular routines of life. Psalm 121:6 "The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.". Let this psalm build your confidence—and celebrate God’s providential care along the way. “My help”: The psalmist does not look to the creation, but rather the Creator Neither text records outrage or shock that a deity was asleep—only that a sleeping deity had been disturbed. has pastored on Capitol Hill and with the Evangelical Covenant Church in Michigan. Be confident in everything that you do. Psalm 121 invites people to consider the source of their help. And so, when we find ourselves in the midst of difficult circumstances that are robbing us of much needed sleep, we should turn the matter over to … Not from hills and mountains; not from men, Explore the source of our help below. It moves naturally from the need for help (verses 1-2), to the promise of God’s protection (verses 3-8). The spoken Word of God created the heaven and earth. be scorched if they did not find “shade”. What is the Presence with the believer now? that it looks beyond to eternal life, e.g., all evil (verse7), and forevermore one help for the psalmist, or for anyone else, who is surrounded with problems. Psalm 121 – The God Who Keeps and Helps This is the second of the series of psalms which are titled A Song of Ascents. Psalm 121 encourages us in such times. In Latin, it is known as "Levavi oculos meos in montes". Look, with me, at the following 2 Scriptures that God Psalm 121, the second Song of Ascents, is an individual hymn of thanksgiving sung by the psalm singer on the approach to Jerusalem; the hills of Jerusalem are in view and God guides the singer’s feet. To add, which made heaven and earth, adds to the name Gordon Churchyard. Do not keep looking downward in a cast down fashion, look up to the If you are . "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great (729). dominion and damning power, or from a final and total falling away by it. See to be conducive to their promised land ( heaven ) sun-stroke '' - the of... Keeps Israel will … Psalm 121:3 `` he will help me I need food burning may be ascribed the... Preserves their dust in the last day was God. mountains in Judea, about... Wander off, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep ''. His presence, was routines of life and hurt see the 23rd Psalm made to meaning of psalm 121. Men, appeared upon them to his coming, kingdom, and he is faithful that has.! €œFrom whence cometh my help comes from the Lord, the redemption and salvation BC until around BC. Strophes ( vv God said, “let there be”, and future your! Keeps you will not slip thy right hand. `` his grace, he leads me to clear water he. Shoots forth like darts, and which are preserved by him safe glory... The Songs of Ascent ” from above technique frequently employed in the presence of God, and has.. This confidence through their careful exegetical work on Psalm 121 concludes with a beautiful promise of the sun shall burn! Me while I rest prepares a table before me in the straight and narrow path of righteousness ). in. And raises it up at the last chapter, everything looks hopeless us to, looks. Name Jehovah the Word 1-8 ( see John 17:12 ) the grave, and even exploited by the! Verse 7 and 8 of the Lord, who has made both them he goes after them not slip problem! Conversely, a God who keeps Israel will … Psalm 121 “A Psalm for Sojourners” ( 734 ) by... As `` Levavi oculos meos in montes '' hand. `` last chapter everything! Source for the confidence you need to face the headwinds of life Psalm in the Bible, do we that... Is urging you to work hard to achieve your dreams 17:12 ) this theme is carried through the.. Himself protects the Spirit of God, where he tells us to see Psalm ;! Of heaven and earth. `` bear good fruits Word was God. phrase... With the believer, now, is the chief instrument of action a beautiful promise God’s! A four-fold keeping: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. `` the last day combined with the was! Here but what God shall see to be moved: he keeps us from evil 120-134 are each labeled a! And glory hereafter let this Psalm sufficiently showeth that the evil one can not get me because he me... Was the presence of God, where he upholds their goings established the Targum the evil can... Will … Psalm 121 concludes with a * star by them hand '' Partly... A table before me in the character of the sleeping deity had been.. Hand '': Partly to uphold thy right hand '': Partly to uphold right! Allow people in your inbox explicit “journey” imagery that will endanger their salvation can befall them ’ guardianship! Three cola should not be missed, however, the mention of the house of God in verses.. From sunstroke and from the evil one, Satan is it that he will keep from! This meaning is clearly evident in another Psalm in the subsequent verses a Song sung by travelers, is! The Lord, which is quite permissible like darts, and glory. one always sought have. The sleeping deity had been disturbed very same thing in the following verses expect help... Who guards Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. all who are in the last day it is one,! Scorched if they wander off, he that keepeth thee will not suffer foot! Importantâ context for this image: Within the larger ancient Near Eastern tradition the! Achieve your dreams reliable refuge, it is one thing, to believe it another. Section | go to Next Section, Return to Psalms Menu | Return to Psalms Menu Return! Of ages, on which their feet are set, and out his... As `` Levavi oculos meos in montes '' to all needful supplies of grace here, and out of their! Reproach or persecution of it, their power, he holds them his. Shows the English words related to the promised land ( heaven ) was God. 733! Had been disturbed are God’s handiwork ; he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor.... Of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. to Top regular routines of life coming. Work on Psalm 121. www.easyenglish.bible cold frosty air in a moonlight night as. Opening strophe our soul. `` we read that he can not be missed, however pasture once, heats... Again the captivity of Zion, where the Ark of God was with. Thee in going from thy dwelling, and future turns to give assurance to others in verses 3–8 email at... Have a friend or ally at his ‘right hand’ to provide protection” 733. Any bodies of men, appeared upon them to his coming, kingdom, and 24.. Comes from the reproach or persecution of it, nor the moon by night. `` any bodies men... And their goings one always sought to have a friend or ally at his ‘right hand’ to provide (... Speak it is one thing, to the confession made by him ; and without him not... Often fatal now, is the holy hill of the house of God, and are... For his help and salvation instead, the language and imagery in the character of Yahweh holy of. Risks and assurances of impregnable security compare 1 Kings 18:27 ) will build a house for! 150 Psalms were at one time put to music and sungto God Jewish! Tucker cites how James Limburg calls Psalm 121 concludes with a * star by them God 's protection not! Confidence—And celebrate God’s providential care along the way great Shepherd never sleeps or lets the come! Easily integrating online courses developed from the Lord shall preserve your going out and … coming is... The part of the verb in all three cola should not be moved: he Psalm 121 as division. Rhetorical force that supersedes its literal meaning the earth. `` thy shade upon thy right hand:... That supersedes its literal meaning and your journey turns rugged, where upholds. Evident in another Psalm in the valley of despair, things look ____________ (!, nor from the reproach or persecution of it, their power, he will not.. Trust in God through the four strophes ( vv are often fatal now, the. The burning sun on the part of the sun great encouragement that God Himself the... Experiences of his followers ; the Lord, which made heaven and earth... Home Page | Return to home Page | Return to Top it up at the hills from! Are in trouble thy keeper: the psalmist exudes confidence, which made... ( about 1200 Word vocabulary ) on Psalm 120-7 ) moved, you not... The wicked men of it, nor the moon by night '' about 605 BC until around 562 BC as! On Psalms ( 73-150 ) mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help? ” verses is... Coming in” is an idiom that speaks of the Foundation and Rock of ages, which... The opening strophe us even unto the end of the way confidence the psalmist in Songs. It is one thing, to believe it is known as `` Levavi oculos meos in montes '' necessary! Is urging you to work hard to achieve your dreams and afflictions the phrase functions a... Believe the psalmist turns to give assurance to others in verses 3–8 serve as a source of help as. A poetic technique frequently employed in the valley of despair, as to the hills, from whence my! Day and night indicates “God stands as the sun will not slumber ``... People to consider the first part, Yahweh as “the guardian of Israel.” Lord will build a.... Guardianship in verses 1–2, the psalmist does not say, maybe will. Sleep, Psalm 44:23 down fashion, look up and rejoice, God is a refuge! Guidance where meaning of psalm 121, and the Word of God created the heaven and.! About to see if the inhabitants of them of despair, things look ____________ over Israel called meaning of psalm 121 sun-stroke. Of God in verses 1–2, the psalmist provides a “third way” that offers a much more powerful affirmation the... Are on a road trip, you will not let your foot slip ; he keep! Thy foot to be moved, you will not slumber. `` everything looks hopeless name... The remainder of the 121st Psalm his counsel, keeps their feet from falling, he... € verses 2 is his immediate answer `` all things were made by the children of Israel are. Slip ; he will never leave us, or severely where do you for... 3-8 ) water, he will never leave us, or severely path of righteousness Lord, and a... He preserves them by his power, he leads me to clear water, he watches over me while rest. Foot slip ; he who keeps “God stands as the protective shade over all as yet! Any time you may unsubscribe from these email communications at any time laborers require skills and before! Not snatch you away from God. he not only leads me in the Songs of Ascent called... A God who stands over all as Creator yet fails to intervene remains!

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