psalm-121:1-8,-proverbs-28:27-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:8

The safety of our days. "The Lord shall keep thy going out and thy coming in." This expression is evidently borrowed from the blessing on obedience given in Deuteronomy 28:6 , "Blessed shall thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shall thou be when thou goest out." Clearly it is but a poetical way of saying, that the defense and guidance and benediction of Jehovah shall rest on the godly man in all the actions and relations of his everyday life. The protection vouchsafed extends to all... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:1

I will lift up mine eyes - Margin, “Shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills? Whence should my help come?” The expression would properly denote a condition where there was danger; when no help or aid was visible; and when the eyes were turned to the quarter from which help might be expected to come. What the danger was cannot now be ascertained.Unto the hills - Hebrew, the mountains. To the quarter from where I look for assistance. This (as has been shown in the Introduction) may refer(1) to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:2

My help cometh from the Lord - From Yahweh. This is the answer to the anxious inquiry in Psalms 121:1. It indicates(a) a consciousness that help could come only from God;(b) a belief that it would come from him; and a confident yet humble reliance on him.Which made heaven and earth - The great Creator of the universe. He must, therefore, be able to protect me. The Creator of all can defend all. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:3

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved - He will enable you to stand firm. You are safe in his protection. Compare the notes at Psalms 38:16. This, with the remainder of the psalm, seems to be of the nature of an answer to the anxious question in Psalms 121:1 - an answer which the author of the psalm, in danger and trouble, makes to his own soul, imparting confidence to himself.He that keepeth thee will not slumber - He will be ever watchful and wakeful. Compare Isaiah 27:3. All creatures, as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:4

Behold, he that keepeth Israel - The Keeper - the Guardian - of his people. The psalmist here passes from his own particular case to a general truth - a truth to him full of consolation. It is, that the people of God must always be safe; that their great Guardian never slumbers; and that he, as one of his people, might, therefore, confidently look for his protecting care.Shall neither slumber nor sleep - Never slumbers, never ceases to be watchful. Man sleeps; a sentinel may slumber on his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:5

The Lord is thy keeper - Thy Preserver; thy Defender. He will keep time from danger; he will keep thee from sin; he will keep thee unto salvation.The Lord is thy shade - The Lord is as a shadow: as the shadow of a rock, a house, or a tree, in the intense rays of the burning sun. See the notes at Isaiah 25:4.Upon thy right hand - See Psalms 16:8; Psalms 109:31. Perhaps the particular allusion to the right hand here may be that that was the place of a protector. He would thus be at hand, or would... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:6

The sun shall not smite thee by day - The Septuagint renders this, “shall not burn thee” - συγκαύσει sungkausei. So the Latin Vulgate. 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. The allusion here is to what is now called a “sun-stroke” - the effect of the burning sun on the brain. Such effects of the sun are often fatal now, as doubtless they were in the time of the psalmist.Nor the moon by night - The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:7

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil - This is an advance of the thought. The psalmist had in the previous verses specified some particular evils from which he says God would keep those who put their trust in him. He now makes the remark general, and says that God would not only preserve from these particular evils, but would keep those who trusted in him from all evil: he would be their Protector in all the perils of life.He shall preserve thy soul - Thy life. See Psalms 41:2; Psalms... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:8

The Lord shall preserve thou going out and thy coming in - Preserve thee in going out and coming in; in going from thy dwelling, and returning to it; in going from home and coming back; that is, everywhere, and at all times. Compare Deuteronomy 28:6. See the notes also at Job 5:24. “From this time forth, and even forevermore.” Through this life and for ever. This is the gracious assurance which is made to all who put their trust in God. At home and abroad; in the house, in the field, and by the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 121:1-2

Psalms 121:1-2. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills To Zion and Moriah, called the holy mountains, Psalms 87:1, the hills on which the tabernacle or temple stood, where were the ark of the covenant, the oracle, and the altars. I will have an eye to the special presence of God in his church, and with his people, and from thence I will expect help. My help cometh from the Lord From God alone, and therefore to him alone will I turn mine eyes; which made heaven and earth And therefore... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 121:1-2

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