Psalm 121:3-5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

This psalm teaches us, I. To stay ourselves upon God as a God of power and a God all-sufficient for us. David did so and found the benefit of it. 1. We must not rely upon creatures, upon men and means, instruments and second causes, nor make flesh our arm: ?Shall I lift up my eyes to the hills???so some read it. ?Does my help come thence? Shall I depend upon the powers of the earth, upon the strength of the hills, upon princes and great men, who, like hills, fill the earth, and hold up their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:3

He wilt not suffer thy foot to be moved ,.... This is either an address of the psalmist to his own soul; or to any other good man, his friend and acquaintance, assuring of stability, and of final perseverance in grace to glory. The Lord keeps the feet of his saints from falling: he will not suffer them to be moved out of the spiritual estate in which they stand; nor off of the Foundation and Rock of ages, on which their feet are set, and their goings established; nor out of the house of God,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:4

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. He that kept Israel or Jacob, when asleep, and appeared to him in a dream, and promised to keep him in all places, and did; who found his posterity in the wilderness, and kept them as the apple of his eye: he keeps his spiritual Israel, whom he has chosen, redeemed, and calls; and he that is in general their keeper, is the keeper of every particular believer, who may promise themselves the utmost safety under his care; since,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:5

The Lord is thy keeper ,.... This explains more fully who it is that keeps Israel and particular believers, and confirms the same; not a creature, but the Lord; the Word of the Lord, as the Targum, in Psalm 121:7 , Christ, the Word and Wisdom of God; who is the keeper of his people by the designation of his Father, who has put them into his hands to be kept by him; and by their full will and consent, who commit the keeping of their souls to him; for which he is abundantly qualified,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:3

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved - The foundation, God's infinite power and goodness, on which thou standest, cannot be moved; and whilst thou standest on this basis, thy foot cannot be moved. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:4

He that keepeth Israel - The Divine Being represents himself as a watchman, who takes care of the city and its inhabitants during the night-watches; and who is never overtaken with slumbering or sleepiness. There is a thought in the Antigone of Sophocles, that seems the counterpart of this of the psalmist, Ταν σανπ , Ζευπ , δυναμιν τις ανδρωνπ Ὑπερβασια κατασχοι,Ταν ουθπ ' ὑπνος αἱπ - ρει ποθπ ' ὁ παντογηρως,Ακαματοι τε θεωνΜηνες; Antig. ver. 613, Edit. Johnson.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:3

Verse 3 3He will not suffer thy foot to stumble. Here the Prophet, in order to recall the faithful to the right path, and to defeat the influence of all the allurements which are wont to distract their minds, affirms that whatever advantages worldly men are accustomed to desire or hope for from the world, true believers will find abundantly and at hand in God alone. He not only attributes power to God, but also teaches that He is so affectioned towards us, that he will preserve us in all... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:4

Verse 4 4.Behold! he who keepeth Israel will not slumber nor sleep. (64) To recall each individual to the consideration of the common covenant, he represents the Divine providence as extending to the whole body of the Church. In order that each of us for himself may be assured that God will be gracious to him, it behoves us always to begin with the general promise made to all God’s people,. This form of expression, he will not slumber nor sleep, would be improper in other languages, according... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

God our Guide: a New Year's psalm. In whatever special circumstances, or for whatever particular occasion, this psalm may have been written, it is certain that it is admirably suited to suggest New Year's thoughts to our minds. We shall best appreciate it if we consider— I. THE GREATNESS OF OUR NEED . We have sometimes to face the future, and then we confront: 1. Certainties ; duties, difficulties, vexations, trials, temptations, opportunities. 2. Uncertainties ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 121:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

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