Psalms 121:1-6

1 I ¹lift up my eyes to ²the hills. From where does my help come?

2 ³My help comes from the LORD, who ⁴made heaven and earth.

3 He will not ⁵let your foot be moved; he who ⁶keeps 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 ⁷shade on your ⁸right hand.

6 ⁹The sun shall not ¹⁰strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

Psalms 121:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 121

\\<>\\. The inscription of the Syriac version is, ``one of the songs of ascent out of Babylon.'' Aben Ezra thinks it was composed on account of Israel, when in a siege and distress; or, adds he, on account of the children of our captivity; the present state of the Jews. Grotius is of opinion it was written by David, at the time of the battle with Absalom. Some take it to be a military psalm, proper for soldiers engaged with an enemy: others, that it is suitable for travellers when on a journey; and why not for persons also, when they commit themselves to God in the night watches, and about to take rest? And indeed it is suitable at all times; when the good man may, with the psalmist, expect divine help, and be secure of protection and preservation.

Cross References

• 1. See Psalms 123:1
• 2. Psalms 87:1; Psalms 133:3; Jeremiah 3:23; [Psalms 48:1]
• 3. Psalms 124:8; [Psalms 20:2]
• 4. See Psalms 115:15
• 5. Psalms 66:9; Proverbs 3:23, 26; [1 Samuel 2:9]
• 6. Psalms 41:2; Psalms 127:1; [Isaiah 27:3]; See Psalms 97:10
• 7. Psalms 91:1
• 8. See Psalms 16:8
• 9. Isaiah 49:10; Revelation 7:16
• 10. 2 Kings 4:19; Jonah 4:8