My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2
The LORD Is Thy Keeper, Every Step of the Way
Psalm 121, a psalm of trust (Ps. 23) is the second song of ascent. Ps. 120 sets the stage for the Israelites’ journey to the Holy City; this poem is a song “for the road.” Psalm 121 is an affirmation of confidence that God will watch over Israel and shelter His people from all harm.
121:1, 2 The words lift up my eyes dramatically picture a traveler approaching the city of Jerusalem. On the first sight of the city walls and temple, the singer asks rhetorically where help is to be found. The answer is the strong affirmation: My help comes from the Lord.
1 A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills– From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
121:3-6 He will not allow: will not slumber: On the long journey to Jerusalem the people would have to stop and sleep, yet they would still be cared for by God. The language of confidence in this psalm indicates that it is about the psalmist’s trust in the living Lord, his Protector. The phrase nor the moon indicates that at no time is God “off duty.” The Keeper of Israel is always present.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.
121:8 and even forevermore: The poem concludes with a renewed affirmation of God’s ongoing protection in this life and the life to come (23:6).
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.
** When we realize that our enemies are more powerful and capable than us, it is wonderful to have God Himself as our protector. This psalm teaches us to trust Him. The enemy pronounces death sentence to us. Tells us to enjoy our final meal now because tomorrow we will be gone. But, God says that ain’t so.
121 1 A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills– From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.
