Psalm 121:5

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 121:5

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

Kept from all evil. This is what the writer of this precious psalm looks for from God (see the first two verses), and this is what the psalm promises, and that with the utmost particularity. There shall not be even a slip of the foot, a thing so common in mountainous lands, and often so perilous, and the keeping shall be night and day alike, and close at hand ( Psalms 121:5 ). The Lord himself shall see to if, whether during the heat of the day or the chill of the night, it matters not.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

The Source of help. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills," etc. I. A STRONG , DEEP SENSE OF DEPENDENCE ON GOD IMPLANTED IN US . II. WE MUST LIFT OURSELVES UP IN THE WHOLE POWER OF OUR BEING TO REALIZE GOD 'S NEARNESS TO HELP US . He dwelt in the mountain-group of Zion at Jerusalem, and in the other mountains of Israel. We have been taught to realize that God is Spirit, and dwells near us, as well as in the far-off... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 121:5

The Lord is thy Keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand . "Thy shade" means "thy protection." "thy defense." Protection was especially needed on the right hand, as the side which no shield guarded. Latin writers call the right side "latus aperture." 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

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

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