Psalm 121:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:8

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in (comp. Deuteronomy 28:6 ; 1 Samuel 29:6 ; 2 Samuel 3:25 ; 1 Kings 3:7 ; 2 Kings 19:27 ). The phrase is an equivalent of "The Lord shall preserve thee in all thy ways" ( Psalms 91:11 ). From this time forth, and even forevermore ; i . e . so long as thou hast "goings out" and "comings in." But the phrase used rather implies that these will never cease. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:8

The sure keeping of God. It has been remarked by a learned Bible scholar that part of the common complaints which are often brought against our English Bible is really owing to the likes and dislikes as to the usage of words in which we English people allow ourselves. It is constantly complained of that where, in the original Scriptures, the sacred writers employ only one word, our translators have put for that one word, two, three, four, five, or even several more different English words,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:8

The safety of our days. "The Lord shall keep thy going out and thy coming in." This expression is evidently borrowed from the blessing on obedience given in Deuteronomy 28:6 , "Blessed shall thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shall thou be when thou goest out." Clearly it is but a poetical way of saying, that the defense and guidance and benediction of Jehovah shall rest on the godly man in all the actions and relations of his everyday life. The protection vouchsafed extends to all... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:5

The Lord is thy keeper - Thy Preserver; thy Defender. He will keep time from danger; he will keep thee from sin; he will keep thee unto salvation.The Lord is thy shade - The Lord is as a shadow: as the shadow of a rock, a house, or a tree, in the intense rays of the burning sun. See the notes at Isaiah 25:4.Upon thy right hand - See Psalms 16:8; Psalms 109:31. Perhaps the particular allusion to the right hand here may be that that was the place of a protector. He would thus be at hand, or would... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:6

The sun shall not smite thee by day - The Septuagint renders this, “shall not burn thee” - συγκαύσει sungkausei. So the Latin Vulgate. The Hebrew word means to smite, to strike, as with a rod or staff, or with the plague or pestilence; and then, to kill, to slay. The allusion here is to what is now called a “sun-stroke” - the effect of the burning sun on the brain. Such effects of the sun are often fatal now, as doubtless they were in the time of the psalmist.Nor the moon by night - The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:7

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil - This is an advance of the thought. The psalmist had in the previous verses specified some particular evils from which he says God would keep those who put their trust in him. He now makes the remark general, and says that God would not only preserve from these particular evils, but would keep those who trusted in him from all evil: he would be their Protector in all the perils of life.He shall preserve thy soul - Thy life. See Psalms 41:2; Psalms... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 121:8

The Lord shall preserve thou going out and thy coming in - Preserve thee in going out and coming in; in going from thy dwelling, and returning to it; in going from home and coming back; that is, everywhere, and at all times. Compare Deuteronomy 28:6. See the notes also at Job 5:24. “From this time forth, and even forevermore.” Through this life and for ever. This is the gracious assurance which is made to all who put their trust in God. At home and abroad; in the house, in the field, and by the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 121:3-8

Psalms 121:3-8. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved To wit, so as to fall into mischief. He speaks, as it were, from God to himself, but, withal, to the encouragement of all good men. He that keepeth thee will not slumber Will not overlook nor neglect any thing which is necessary for thy preservation. The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand Both to refresh thee, and keep thee from the burning heat of the sun. In those countries where the heat of the sun was intolerable, shady... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

Psalms 120-124 To Jerusalem for worshipEach of the fifteen Psalms 120:0 to 134 is entitled ‘A Song of Ascents’ (RSV; NIV). These psalms were apparently sung by worshippers from the country areas as they made the journey up to Jerusalem for the various annual festivals.Whether or not the psalms were written for this purpose, they have been arranged in a sequence that reflects the feelings of the travellers. They provide expressions of worship for the travellers as they set out from distant... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 121:7

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 read more

Group of Brands