Bible Commentaries
Psalms 121

Verses 1-8

PSALM 121

The godly assured of the presence and support of the Lord, in view of their journey from the land of captivity to the house of the Lord.

(vv. 1-2) The godly man would fain escape from the land of his captivity; but mountains block his way. Looking at the difficulties, the cry is forced from him, “Whence shall my help come?” (JND). Immediately his faith replies, “My help cometh from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.” The Maker of the mountains can lead him across the mountains.

The remaining verses of the psalm give the answer of the Spirit of God to the faith of a godly man who looks to the Lord alone for his help. The one ever recurring thought is the care of the Lord. The word “keep” is the characteristic word of the psalm. Bearing in mind that the word “preserve,” in verses 7 and 8, should be translated “keep,” it will be noticed that this encouraging word occurs six times in the last six verses.

(vv. 3-4) First, the godly man who looks to the Lord for his help is assured that the Lord will not suffer his foot to be moved: he will be kept from all dangers.

Second, he is assured that the care of the Lord is unceasing, “He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” He keeps each individual believer, and He is the Keeper of Israel as a whole.

(v. 5) Third, the Lord is not only our Keeper, but He is a present Keeper, One who is always at our right hand, ever available for faith, whatever the difficulties may be ( Psa_16:8 ).

(v. 6) Fourth, the Lord is our Keeper at all seasons, “by day,” and “by night.”

(v. 7) Fifth, the Lord is a Keeper from “all evil.” We see but a few of the evils that beset our path. The Lord sees and keeps us “from all evil.”

Sixth, not only does the Lord keep the body, but He keeps the soul. He holds our souls in the positive good of life.

(v. 8) Seventh, the Lord keeps us in all circumstances of life, in our “going out” and “coming in.”

Finally, the Lord will keep through all time, for evermore.

Thus the soul is assured that the Lord is our Keeper from all danger (v. 3); He is unceasing in His care (v. 4); He is ever available (v. 5); He keeps us at all seasons (v. 6); He keeps from all evil; He keeps the soul as well as the body (v. 7); He keeps us in all circumstances, and for all time (v. 8).