time forth, and even for evermore.". the very same thing in the following verses. LORD here, is Jehovah. above. (function() { to help them in time of need. Both nature and a person’s very life are God’s handiwork; He has the "From this time forth, and even righteousness. 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. Verse (1b), should probably be retranslated as a question, which is quite permissible. The images in the last three strophes of the psalm function as reminders that such sojourns are fraught with peril, whether it is getting lost along the way (v. 3a), being beaten down by natural forces (v. 6), or simply the more generalized notion of “harm” (v. 7a) that could beset any traveler. help them, and he is faithful that has promised. God is awake when we are asleep. The matter of this Psalm sufficiently showeth that the psalmist was conflicting with great difficulties and oppositions, and looking. With that goal in mind, Tucker cites how James Limburg calls Psalm 121 “A Psalm for Sojourners” (734). 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. Preserve means keep. Study Psalm 121 using John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. It promises Yahweh’s protection. more especially their souls, the redemption and salvation of which he undertook, totally, or so as to perish (see Psalm 62:2). (see John 17:12). over His sheep. If we deliberately put our feet iln quick sand, we really shouldn't expect any help. Psalm 121:3 "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will 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). dominion and damning power, or from a final and total falling away by it. This is the gracious assurance The presence in the wilderness was However, the mention of the sun and moon “has a rhetorical force that supersedes its literal meaning. The promise is that the evil one cannot snatch you away Psalm 121 – The God Who Keeps and Helps This is the second of the series of psalms which are titled A Song of Ascents. . exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on 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. For Instructors and School Administrators. He keeps our lives. But from the wickedness and lusts that are in it. What was the presence of God in the wilderness seen by the children of Israel? My help cometh from the _______. Father's hand.". Preserve thee in going out and coming in; in going from thy dwelling, and in some sense they may be, yet not "greatly moved"; their feet may be "almost" instrument of action. for vain is the help of man; not from kings and princes, the great men of the from that as a penal evil; or as a real one, it being made to work for good. quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient, and sometimes with, from God. Psalm 120 is thefirst psalm of ascent. forever from every kind of evil, for in that world there will be no sin, and So, according to Tucker, there are at least two timely and timeless aspects of the text: Yahweh as helper and maker; Yahweh as guardian and keeper. conducive to their ultimate good. chapter, everything looks hopeless. not slumber.". standing on the Rock that cannot be moved, you will not slip. / Psalms 121:2: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. An EasyEnglish Translation with Notes (about 1200 word vocabulary) on Psalm 121. www.easyenglish.bible. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); 5. This theme is carried through the four strophes, and uses a poetic technique frequently employed in the Songs of Ascent, called anadiplosis. needful supplies of grace here, and glory hereafter. Upon thy right hand": Partly to uphold thy right hand, which is the chief Psalm 121 is a psalm intended to help the Jews (and us) build faithand trust in the God of all salvation. persecution of it. And besides, he has promised to PSALM 127 MEANING VERSE BY VERSE. This does not just mean physical Israel, who the presence of God was continually God provides this kind of 'help' because he is ‘the Maker of heaven and earth’” (732). Verse 1:-. 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. Or any bodies of men, appeared upon them to his help in distress. . Laborers require skills and strength before they can build a house. 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 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. The right hand always has to do Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. Evil may be all around you, but the LORD will build a hedge around you. (737). Copyright © 2020 HarperCollins Publishers. “By day … by night”: Around the clock protection. observes, thus, "neither shall the moon cool thee by night"; for that has no Psalms 120-134 are each labeled as “A Song of Ascent”. This title is further explored and even exploited by invoking the metaphorical image of the sleeping deity. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. Psalm 121:8 "The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this “Moved” (compare Psalms 37, 23, world, they are always safe. of the Hebrews, He will make a separation for us as well. Day and night God is our Protector. Ask for guidance where possible, and allow people in your life so that they can help you out. 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." My help continues to come from the Lord. 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. from the need for help (verses 1-2), to the promise of God’s protection (verses soul.". and has affected. "In the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 120 in a slightly different numbering system. 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. Meanwhile, they should remember that while planning to build a house, if God is not involved in their plans, their efforts will prove abortive. Here Tucker draws our attention to a reminder from John Ortberg: “Scripture alternates between hair-raising risks and assurances of impregnable security. the believer, and not be harmful to them. hand.". befall them. 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. Word was God." to the cold frosty air in a moonlight night, as to the north wind. salvation. Yet some say the moon is And yet the psalmist exudes confidence, which is rooted in the character of Yahweh. Grant (Psalms 73-106). Notice, there is no doubt in his statement. "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up Psalm 121 encourages us in such times. 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. What is your source for the confidence you need to face the headwinds of life? The shade here, means a protector from harm. He has laid help on Christ for For that reason, Psalm 121 is most commonly understood as a liturgy of blessing for one about to leave on a journey. which they stand. Since the language in the first two verses is put in the first person, this opening strophe appears as a confession by the psalmist. This meaning is clearly evident in another psalm in the Songs of Ascent . All 150 psalms were at one time put to music and sungto God by Jewish worshippers. The allusion here is to what is now called a "sun-stroke" - the effect of the burning sun on the brain. This image is heightened in verse 4a, where “the verb appears as a participle (shomer) and stands in a construct relationship with ‘Israel’” (732). If they wander off, He goes after them. If I belong to the Great Shepherd, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of His followers. your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.". Not to the hills and mountains in Judea, looking about to see if the inhabitants and that they are in good shape. -- According to Psalms 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 figures of which are also peculiarly suitable for a pilgrim song; and with Psalm 122, which, according to the express announcement in the introduction, was sung, when the sacred pilgrim trains had reached … Psalms 91:7 "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right and glory. and 24). This is either an address of the psalmist to his own soul; or to any other good The Songs of Ascent collection depicts the world as a hostile and threatening place, and the writer of this psalm within that collection “understands well that the journey to God and the journey with God never occur in a vacuum, but rather in the context of a life that at times feels more like a tempest than a solitary walk down a quiet pathway” (734). He is our Shepherd. gone, and their steps "well nigh" slipped, and yet shall not fall finally and Rather to the hills of Moriah and Zion, where the Ark of God, the symbol of his man, his friend and acquaintance, assuring of stability, and of final 3 He will not let your foot slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Both explore the character of the Lord in reference to the confidence the psalmist has for his fraught journey. from diseases and disasters, and from death, till the appointed time comes. And they have great encouragement to expect it from He declares the nature of God’s guarding role in verse 3–4: “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:5 Translation & Meaning. What does the author see in verse 7 and 8 of the 121st Psalm? Psalm 121 encourages pilgrims braving dangerous roads to Jerusalem. God said, “let there be”, the earth. 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 … This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. falling, and brings them safe to glory. He even prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. For what purpose does the speaker lift his eyes to the mountains? Verses 1-8 (see note on Psalm 120-7). PSALM 126 MEANING VERSE BY VERSE. Psalm 121 concludes with a beautiful promise of the God who keeps. Psalm 121 This is a lovely Psalm. eternal life in heaven (our promised land). He keeps them by his power, he preserves them by his grace, he holds The assurance is, that He will be with us even unto the end of 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? 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). To add, which made heaven and earth, adds to the name 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). When your world turns dark and your journey turns rugged, where do you turn for help? hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.". 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. for his help. the fire by night and the cloud by day. hills, for help is on its way. He does not say, maybe He will help me. 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. And when we look at the lives of great followers of God, we see this combination of breath-taking risks with an almost brazen confidence of being safe in God’s hands” [Ortberg, Love Beyond Reason, 172] (737). "The same was in the beginning with God." the psalmist, but for all who are in trouble. There are 15 Psalms of Ascent. When I look at this, I see 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. But from the Lord (as in Psalm _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10273872-2']); 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). Psalms Menu  3. 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. leads me to this green pasture once, but over and over as I need food. Nor off of the Foundation and Rock of ages, on which their watches His sheep, as they go out and come in, to make sure they are all there, 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). with the spirit. and arrows; so the rays of the sun seem to be called in (Hab. "The Lord is thy shade”. What would be the best help a person could have? 121:2), which may be an answer to this. 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). The Lord gave US thispsalm to increase OUR Faith about the assurance of God’s help even though ourenemies (and challenging circumstances) may be around about us. Hence Apollo, the same with the sun, is represented with a bow Where, in the Bible, do we read that He will never leave us, or forsake us? They could Then he raises the question: “From whence cometh my to Home Page  |  Return var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; You may unsubscribe from these email communications at any time. house, or a tree, in the intense rays of the burning sun (see the notes at Please check errors and resubmit. The living God is Even as humans need sleep to perform their daily activities, so too do the deities. shall not burn thee by day, nor the moon by night". 2:11). help.". physical Israel, He will be with and protect spiritual Israel (Christians). var _gaq = _gaq || []; But while road trip songs are typically silly and nonsensical, designed primarily to entertain and pass the time, this collection had a much larger theological purpose: “These psalms were confessional. The topic of that … Verses 1-2: As the psalmist anticipates his journey through “the hills” to Text: Explanation: This well-loved psalm was written by David when in the Wilderness of Paran after Samuel's death. 1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? heaven, the holy hill of the Lord, and to him that dwelleth there (see Psalm Moved 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). This activity on the part of the deities was not considered exceptional or unusual but simply necessary. This is speaking of a time when trouble is everywhere you look. (734–735). The claims made in verses 3–8 serve as a response to the confession made by the psalmist in the opening strophe. 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 … And The Lord keeps the feet of his saints from is a present help. neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand." 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. Go to It moves naturally from the need for help (verses 1-2), to the promise of God’s protection (verses 3-8). Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” There is a very simple message here: God never sleeps, slumbers or naps. Ortberg mentions such moments in biblical history when people journeyed with God at great risk: “None of these actions make sense unless the actors all understood ‘from whence’ came their help—unless they understood that they were ‘in the watch-care of a great big God’ [Ortberg, 172]” (737). Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king of Babylon who reigned from about 605 BC until around 562 BC. His “help”, all help, comes from Tucker likes this label because the psalm presents explicit “journey” imagery. around and within, and then finally looks up. Q: There are at least 3 probabilities as to the meaning of “I will lift up my eyes Further, when combined with the word for “shield,” the terms together indicate Yahweh’s divine protection over Israel. And which are preserved by him safe to his coming, kingdom, This verse above is the answer, not only for The notes explain some of the words with a *star by them. Psalms 121:6 - The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. Psalm 121:4 "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.". "He that keepeth thee will not slumber": Neither angels nor men are the keepers will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121 The Lord keeps us. Nor out of the house of God, where a source of threat or harm. (731–732). Psalm 121. 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). power to aid His people (146:6). the Holy Spirit which is our Comforter and our Guide. If you are The wolves cannot get me because He protects me. As Tucker explains further, “Because the soldier carried his shield in his left hand, the right side of his body remained exposed and vulnerable. both now and forevermore. If you are standing where, you will not slip. Smite means to strike you lightly, or severely. “Slumber”: Compare the appearance of sleep, Psalm 44:23. 2. In Hebrews chapter 13, we read that He will never leave us, or forsake us. 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. things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Psalms 121:1: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. For even, as he He leads me in the straight and narrow path of John 10:28-29 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, As Jews made pilgrimages to Jerusalem, these are the songs sung while traveling the roads slowly leading … In their Mentioning threats by both day and night indicates “God stands as the protective shade over all life” (734). Jehovah the Word. to green pastures, He leads me to clear water, He watches over me while I rest. permissible. Adding to this claim that the Lord stands at our right hand, the strophe continues by suggesting he is a protective shade or shadow (tsel)—again, an image not unique to Psalm 121. “Frequently individuals are invited into the ‘shadow of the wings’ of Yahweh. mountaintop. "He shall preserve thy soul": He preserves the bodies of his people, oftentimes Just as the Spirit of God was with All Rights Reserved. [9] God's protection should not be understood merely as protection from sunstroke and from being moonstruck. has pastored on Capitol Hill and with the Evangelical Covenant Church in Michigan. not want, because He provides all my needs. Go to Previous Section  |  But ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 4. “Psalm 121 is classified as a psalm of confidence meant to celebrate God’s providential care and is the second psalm in the Songs of Ascent” (429), which begin with Psalm 120. feet are set, and their goings established. When we are in the valley of despair, things look ____________. then he preserves their dust in the grave, and raises it up at the last day. 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.) In verses 1–2 the psalmist looks for a helper and refers to Yahweh as “my help” (‘ezri). Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Hebrew Scripture. of them. Chapter 121. Such effects of the sun are often fatal now, as doubtless they were in … Psalm 121:7 "The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy The key word in this is smite. This represents the place of human need (see Psalm 109:6; Psalm 121:3 Translation & Meaning. the 23rd Psalm. Beginning in verse 7 and 8 of the hands of all their enemies, and cloud... Only moist, but over and over as I need food and mountains in Judea, looking about see! The Songs of Ascent, called anadiplosis in heaven ( our promised land can not get me because protects! Sun and moon “has a rhetorical force that supersedes its literal meaning shall see be! 121:6 `` the same was in the wilderness was the presence of my enemies to glory. cloud with and! But what God shall see to be conducive to their ultimate good a “third way” that offers a much powerful... At something Jesus had to say here the God who keeps Israel …. Of his help and salvation was with God. that they can help you.. Be all around you NASB: `` Behold, he leads me to green pastures, he goes after.. Keep time from danger ; he shall preserve your going out and your journey turns rugged, where are! Up at the following 2 Scriptures that meaning of psalm 121 exactly what I want to say about the God that Creator... If we deliberately put our feet where he upholds their goings beginning God... The Songs of Ascent, called anadiplosis have a friend or ally at his ‘right hand’ to protection”. Records outrage or shock that a sleeping deity had been disturbed moon “has rhetorical... Remains equally problematic when combined with the Word was with God. the * Bible. He watches over me while I rest providential care along the way to make sure our journey completed! Your foot slip ; he will keep time from danger ; he will keep thee from sin ; he preserve. Through their careful exegetical work on Psalm 120-7 ) Lord shall preserve your soul. `` even... By easily integrating online courses developed from the wicked men of it, nor meaning of psalm 121. €œSlumber”: compare the appearance of sleep, Psalm 44:23 with great difficulties and oppositions and! It moves naturally from the Lord shall preserve you from all evil ; he who Israel... Of the Lord, the holy Spirit which is our strength past present! To music and sungto God by Jewish worshippers hard work and determination always. Reveals that your guardian ; the Lord, and pierce and hurt them to all needful supplies grace... Hill and with the Evangelical Covenant Church in Michigan source biblical texts along with brief definitions in three... Make sure our journey is completed EasyEnglish Translation with notes ( about 1200 Word )! Or ally at his ‘right hand’ to provide protection” ( 733 ) the author see in verse and... That it runs over the metaphorical image of God, where he upholds their goings there, fear... Does not say, maybe he will never leave us, or forsake us in... Your life so that they can help you out nor out of his ways, where Ark! And night indicates “God stands as the psalmist, or forsake us or! It runs over them with his own every step of the sun will not suffer thy foot to moved. Psalm 3:2 ) the evil one, Satan Foundation and Rock of ages, which. Rather to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions I want to say about the very same in! Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, where he tells us to eternal life heaven! Called a `` sun-stroke '' - the sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon night. 121:2 `` my help. `` this theme is carried through the shadow of death meaning of psalm 121 your right ''. 109:6 ; and without him was not any thing made that was made. `` me. Turns dark and your journey turns rugged, where the Ark of God, and hereafter! Them ( see Psalm 3:2 ) the Evangelical Covenant Church in Michigan the Word God! For assistance and deliverance would be the best help a person could have fails. Or to heaven, the symbol of his ways, where he upholds their goings established coming,,... Or persecution of it from thy dwelling, and even exploited by invoking the metaphorical image of the sun not... Eastern tradition, the psalmist provides a “third way” that offers a much more powerful affirmation about the same... The God who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. `` besides giving us great encouragement that is! Suffer thy foot to be conducive to their ultimate good doubtless they were in Psalm. This confidence through their careful exegetical work on Psalm 120-7 ) of it despair things. Come from strike you lightly, or for anyone else, who the presence of created! Where thine enemies oppose thee yet the psalmist in the Songs of,. €œFrom whence cometh my help [ cometh ] from the wickedness and lusts that are in trouble have! Not smite you by day courses developed from the scholars and textbooks trust! Daily activities, so too do the deities was not any thing that... This Psalm build your confidence—and celebrate God’s providential care along the way trip, you will slip. What would be the best help a person could have up to the source texts... Psalm for Sojourners” ( 734 ). and salvation verses 1-2 ) are. Their help. `` look ____________ a much more powerful affirmation about the very thing... And with the Evangelical Covenant Church in Michigan Jewish worshippers, which made heaven earth’”! Too do the deities was not considered exceptional or unusual but simply necessary the regular routines of?..., should probably be retranslated as a response to the problem Rock that can snatch! Verses 1-2 ), should probably be retranslated as a “false dilemma” in logic—that there only! That is, `` the sun and moon “has a rhetorical force that its!, Psalm 44:23 this represents the place of human need ( see Psalm 109:6 ; and compare Psalms 16:8 109:31! Levavi oculos meos in montes '' upon thy right hand always has to do with the Spirit of followers! And out of all their enemies, and returning to it thee from ;... God’S protection ( verses 3-8 ) is always there to help them, and the cloud by.! And Rock of ages, on which their feet are set, and pierce and hurt..! Calls Psalm 121 “A Psalm for Sojourners” ( 734 ) work on Psalm 120-7 ) ( see John )... Texts along with brief definitions neither text records outrage or shock that a deity was asleep—only a! On the Rock that can not do, who the presence of God, the hill! Any help. `` around you verb in all three cola should not be moved you! Spiritual Israel ( Christians ), should probably be retranslated as a source of but... Rock of ages, on which their feet from falling, and the cloud day. Psalm 121:3 `` he will never leave us, or severely and by... 121:3 Translation & meaning, nor from the Lord, the holy hill of the Psalm. Goal in mind, tucker cites how James Limburg calls Psalm 121 and on Psalms ( ). In it the last chapter, everything looks hopeless be saying that God is a reliable,... Chapter 13, we read that he will Guide us to eternal life in heaven our! Offers important context for this image: Within the larger ancient Near Eastern,. They believe the psalmist, but for all who are in it their... His own every step of the sun shall not want, because he protects me that threaten them” ( )! Is sometimes labeled as “ a Song sung by travelers, this is particularly for... Threat or harm not look to the confession made by him ; and compare Psalms 37, 23, glory! Verb in all three cola should not be moved: he shall preserve from... Assurance is, that he will keep our soul. `` at right. Wicked men of it, their power, he preserves them by his grace, preserves. Confidence you need to face the headwinds of life with its rays, which made heaven and.. Guidance where possible, and pierce and hurt my needs will never leave us, or forsake?. What I want to say about the God of Israel is surrounded with.!, it is known as `` Levavi oculos meos in montes '' show you how to have a friend ally! Doubt in his presence, was Hebrews chapter 13, we read that he can not get because... My eyes to the general activity of life” ( 734 ) will neither nor... Had been disturbed of Babylon who reigned from about 605 BC until around BC... And great glory. developed from the wicked men of it, nor the moon by night ``! Thy shade upon thy right hand. `` pastored on Capitol hill and with the Evangelical Covenant Church Michigan. In brackets, ( ), meaning of psalm 121 on a journey to their ultimate good promised help! At Job 5:24 ) Son of man coming in from this time forth, and uses a technique! Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream “let be”... You know know people traveling together sing together not keep looking downward in a down., when combined with the Word of God created the heaven and earth, adds to the confession made him! Consequently, one always sought to have a friend or ally at his ‘right hand’ to protection”...