Bible Commentaries
Psalms 121

Verses 1-8

Psalms 121:0

Introduction - There is no human being, no matter how strong and powerful, that does not face situations that are beyond his ability to control. Even King David saw his own weakness and need for a Saviour and Comforter. Psalms 121:0 reminded the children of Israel of their need for God’s sustaining help as they made their way up to Jerusalem on their holy pilgrimage.

Psalms 121:1 (A Song of degrees.) I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Psalms 121:1 Word Study on “degrees” - Strong says the Hebrew word “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) (H4609) literally means, “elevations,” and in book of Psalms it means, “a climatic progression.” Strong says this word is derived from the Hebrew verb “‘alah” ( עָלָה ) (H5927), which means “to ascend.” This noun occurs 45 times in the Old Testament Scriptures and is often translated “steps,” as in 1 Kings 10:19. In 2 Kings 20:9-11 “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) is translated “degrees,” referring to the ten steps the shadow regressed on the king’s sundial.

Psalms 121:1 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills” - Comments - The context of Psalms 121:0 is the march up to Jerusalem. The reference to the hills are those that surround the city of Jerusalem (Psalms 125:2). In the same way that the hills surround the city of David, God surrounds His people. These protective hills make the city of Jerusalem a stronghold against the enemy (2 Samuel 5:7).

Psalms 125:2, “ As the mountains are round about Jerusalem , so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”

2 Samuel 5:7, “Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.”

Psalms 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Psalms 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalms 121:3 Word Study on “keepeth” Strong says the Hebrew word “keepeth” ( שָׁמַר ) (H8104) literally means “to hedge about, to guard, protect, attend to.” In Psalms 121:0, it is translated, “keep, keeper, preserve.” This is a key word of this Psalm (Psalms 34:7, Jude 1:24).

Psalms 34:7, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Jude 1:24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”

Psalms 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

Psalms 121:6 Comments - In Psalms 121:6 the sun and moon represent the fact that God will protect us 24-hours per day.

Psalms 121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalms 121:8 Scripture References - Note:

Matthew 28:20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world . Amen.”

Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee .”