Psalm 121:3-8

3 He will not ¹allow your foot to slip; He who ²keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your ³keeper; The LORD is your ⁴shade on your right hand.

6 The ⁵sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will ⁶protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.

8 The LORD will ⁷guard your going out and your coming in ⁸From this time forth and forever *.

Psalm 121:3-8 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. 1 Samuel 2:9; Psalms 66:9
• 2. Psalms 41:2; Psalms 127:1; Isaiah 27:3
• 3. Psalms 91:4
• 4. Psalms 16:8; Psalms 91:1; Isaiah 25:4
• 5. Psalms 91:5; Isaiah 49:10; Jonah 4:8; Revelation 7:16
• 6. Psalms 41:2; Psalms 91:10-12
• 7. Deuteronomy 28:6
• 8. Psalms 113:2; Psalms 115:18

Footnotes

• [a] Or "keep"
• [b] Or "keep"