Psalms 121:1-8

Psalms 121

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE

Jehovah the True Helper and Keeper of Israel.

ANALYSIS

(See Inserted Headlines.)

(Lm.) Song of the Steps.
(THE KING, SEEING JERUSALEM SURROUNDED
BY AN ARMY.)

1

I keep lifting mine eyes unto the mountains

whence cometh my help?

(STRONG COUNSELLOR'S ASSURANCE.)

2

Help[730] is from Jehovah

[730] Merely omitting the suffix yod from the noun for help converts this verse into a timely positive assurance.

maker of heaven and earth!

(WEAK COUNSELLOR'S PIOUS WISH.)

3

May he not[731] suffer thy foot to slip!

[731] The subjective or deprecative negative is here used, and by the headline is dramatically accounted for.

may he that keepeth[732] thee not[731] slumber!

[732] N.B. how the strong counsellor catches up this word and repeats it five times.

(STRONG COUNSELLOR'S RE-ASSURANCE.)

4

Lo! neither[733] will slumber nor[733] sleep

[733] In contrast with the negative in Psalms 121:3, that here used is positive, and states a fact.

the Keeper of Israel.

5

Jehovahthy KeeperJehovah

is thy shade on thy right hand:

6

By day the sun shall not smite thee,

nor the moon by night.

7

Jehovah will keep thee from every evil

he will keep thy person,[734]

[734] Heb. nephesh: U.: soul. We need to be reminded how frequently nephesh means personin good contrast, here, with goings.

8

Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in

from henceforth and to the ages![735]

[735] Cp. Intro., Chap. III., Ages.

(Nm.)

PARAPHRASE

Psalms 121

Shall I look to the mountain gods for help?
2 No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too!
3, 4 He will never let me stumble, slip or fall. For He is always watching, never sleeping.
5 Jehovah Himself is caring for you! He is your defender.[736]

[736] Literally, your shade at your right hand.

6 He protects you day and night.
7 He keeps you from all evil, and preserves your life.
8 He keeps His eye upon you as you come and go, and always guards you.

EXPOSITION

Notwithstanding his strong faith in Jehovah, Hezekiah's confidence would naturally be tried as the Assyrians approached the sacred city. Jerusalem was surrounded by mountains; and to these the King would instinctively lift up his eyes to see whether the Assyrians were coming; and, in moments of distress, might well askwhence his help could come. Such a strong man as Isaiah would be at hand to assure him; and Psalms 121:2 would be worthy of him and of the occasion. It is easy to apprehend how a weaker counsellor might thereupon express the pious wish that Jehovah's help might not fail, but in such terms as tended rather to weaken the King's faith than to strengthen it. The first adviser, therefore, renews his assurances of Jehovah's help in more vigorous and ample terms. Lo! says he,Look you!as of some open and manifest truthand then he proceeds with his re-assurance in positive terms of utmost vigour; accumulating the Divine titles to confidence, figuratively picturing the pervading presence of Jehovah's protection, playing with the word employed by his weaker friendKeepertill it echoes with triumphant faith. Then, too, the very word keep is exquisitely fitted to the position of a king who could not movebut must wait till he should see the salvation of God. How much easier thus to apply the words, than to force the accustomed thought of help coming from the mountains of Judæa to bring the returning exiles out of Babylon.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.

Verse one of this psalm is very much misunderstood. The help does not come from the hillsfrom whence? Discuss.

2.

Who would give help and assurance to Hezekiah? (i.e. besides God)

3.

There seems to be two counsellors in this psalm. What does each say? Who are they?