Bible Commentaries
Psalms 121

Verse 1

Title. A Song. Hebrew. shir . See App-65 .

of degrees = for, or relating to the degrees. Only here thus. Hebrew. lamma'aloth. See note on Title of 120.

hills = mountains. Add a full stop.

From whence, &c? Punctuate this line as a question. Compare Jeremiah 3:23 .

cometh = is to come.

Verse 2

My help. Figure of speech, Anadiplosis , repeated from end of Psalms 121:1 .

the LORD = Jehovah ( App-4 .), not the hills.

Which made heaven and earth. The reference is to the burden of Hezekiah's prayer (2 Kings 19:15 ; Isaiah 37:16 ). Idols were only the work of men's hands ( 2Ki 19:18 ; 2 Chronicles 32:19 ; Isaiah 37:19 ). Rab-shakeh had reproached "the living God". See further references to this in Psalms 124:8 ; Psalms 134:3 ; and App-67

Verse 3

not = May He not. Hebrew 'al (like Greek. me) . (Subjective, and conditional).

keepeth . . . (Psalms 121:4 ) keepeth . . . (Psalms 121:5 ) keeper. Note the Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ). Hebrew. shomreka . . . shomer . . . shomreka. Repeated in verses: Psalms 121:7-8 .

Verse 4

neither. Hebrew. l'o (like Greek. ou) . He will not. Absolute.

Verse 7

shall preserve thee. The repeated promise of Jehovah by Isaiah (2 Kings 19:20-34 .Isaiah 37:6 , Isaiah 37:7 , Isaiah 37:22-25

Verse 8

thy going out, &c. Idiom for life in general. The promise was fulfilled in 2 Chronicles 32:22 .