Phulasso (5442) means to watch, to carry out the function as a military guard or sentinel (cp Ac 23:35, 28:16), to keep watch, to have one's eye upon lest one escape, to guard a person that he might remain safe (from violence, from another person or thing, from being snatched away, from being lost). The NT uses phulasso of guarding truth (eg, 1Ti 5:21, 6:20, 2Ti 1:14-note)
Phulasso is the verb used to describe the shepherds "keeping watch (phulasso) over their flock by night (Lk 2:8), which congers up the image of savage wolves seeking to devour the helpless sheep. Elsewhere we read of the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd Who keeps watch over His sheep.
Paul assures us that...
the Lord is faithful (He is trustworthy, worthy of all our trust), and He will strengthen and protect (phulasso) you from the evil one. (2Th 3:3) (Why can we be certain God will protect us from evil and the devil, the evil one himself? How is God characterized by Paul, which undergirds his declaration that God will protect us? See God's attribute Faithfulness)
Peter records that God
did not spare the ancient world, but preserved (phulasso) Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly. (2Pe 4, 5- see notes)
Comment: Ponder the picture in this passage! Imagine the roaring seas, spreading out over the land as the rains came falling down. Picture men and women and children crying out for help as the waters rose. And let this sad, tragic picture help you discern the meaning of phulasso.
Phulasso is used 31 times in the NAS (Matt. 19:20; Mk. 10:20; Lk. 2:8; 8:29; 11:21, 28; 12:15; 18:21; Jn. 12:25, 47; 17:12; Acts 7:53; 12:4; 16:4; 21:24, 25; 22:20; 23:35; 28:16; Ro 2:26; Gal. 6:13; 2Th 3:3; 1Ti 5:21; 6:20; 2Ti 1:12, 14; 4:15; 2Pe 2:5; 3:17; 1Jn 5:21; Jude 1:24) and is translated in the NAS as abstain, 1; guard, 8; guarded, 1; guarding, 1; guards, 1; keep, 5; keeping, 2; keeps, 1; kept, 4; kept under guard, 1; maintain, 1; observe, 2; preserved, 1; protect, 1; watching, 1. There are almost 400 uses of phulasso in the Septuagint!
Phulasso can also mean to keep away from or make an effort to abstain from as in (Luke 12:15).
Figuratively phulasso means to keep so as to observe and not violate, such as God's Word. Thus Jesus said
Blessed (makarios) are those who hear the word of God, and observe (phulasso = guard, present tense = continually) it. (Luke 11:28)
Comment: Note carefully that the blessing is not just in the knowing of the Word of Truth but of the obeying of the Word of Truth (Contrast Jas 1:22 with Jas 1:25)
In a similar use in the LXX we read
Where there is no vision (no prophetic vision, no truth), the people are unrestrained (run wild!), but ( - What is contrasted? At least two truths!) happy (blessed - fully satisfied independent of the circumstances = not natural effort but a supernatural bestowal!) is he who keeps (LXX = Phulasso) the law. (Pr 29:18-note)
The idea of phulasso in preceding two examples (Lk 11:28, Pr 29:18) is that of the keeping of the commandments, and refers not only to the act of obeying them, but to an attitude of attentive care and protectiveness for their preciousness and honor, an attitude which leads one to carefully guard them from being broken (Note: We can "keep" them only because He has "kept" us and empowered us to be able to "keep" them. If we try to "keep" the law in our own strength, we call that legalism. Grace sets free. Legalism puts us back into bondage to the law and sin.)
Phulasso indicates safe custody and often implies assault from without and Vine says is a stronger word than the synonym tereo which expresses watchful care. I love the ending benediction by Jude...
Now to Him who is able to keep (phulasso) you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24,2 5)
The Septuagint (Lxx), the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT, translates every occurrence of shamar with the same Greek verb phulasso, which was used commonly in secular writings as a military word (for example to describe the duty of a military sentry) and meant to guard (so as to protect from danger especially by providing watchful attention), defend or keep watch in order to prevent robbery, loss or harm.
Phulasso means to keep in safe custody and its use often implies assault from without. For example, Luke records that "when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him." (Acts 28:16) The verb phulasso is in the present tense picturing continuous action - you have a round-the-clock ("24/7") "Guard". As noted above, Adam was instructed by God to keep (guard - Hebrew = shamar; Lxx = phulasso) the Garden of Eden (Ge 2:15)!
Now take this information on phulasso and "plug" it back into the phrase He Who keeps you. For example, you could read it as "He Who continually guards you to prevent robbery or loss..." What an encouraging picture of the "keeping" power of our great God, Jehovah. Beloved, believe this truth about Him. It does not mean we will not suffer or that we will not be attacked or afflicted. But it does mean that Jehovah Himself will protect us when the trials come.
God's help keeps the believer. Nearing the end of his life, Paul had come to know God as his personal Help (cf, "my help"), for even in the face of persecution for the gospel, he was able to declare
I am not ashamed; for I know Whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able (He has the inherent power - He is the Creator of heaven and earth) to guard (or keep = phulasso) what I have entrusted to Him until that day. (2Ti 1:12-note)
Beloved, we have a trustworthy, vigilant "Watchman"
Take comfort in this truth.
Spurgeon has these devotional thoughts on Psalm 121:3...
If the LORD will not suffer it, neither men nor devils can do it. How greatly would they rejoice if they could give us a disgraceful fall, drive us from our position, and bury us out of memory! They could do this to their heart's content were it not for one hindrance, and only one: the LORD will not suffer it; and if He does not suffer it, we shall not suffer it. The way of life is like traveling among the Alps. Along the mountain path one is constantly exposed to the slipping of the foot. Where the way is high the head is apt to swim, and then the feet soon slide; there are spots which are smooth as glass and others that are rough with loose stones, and in either of these a fall is hard to avoid. He who throughout life is enabled to keep himself upright and to walk without stumbling has the best of reasons for gratitude. What with pitfalls and snares, weak knees, weary feet, and subtle enemies, no child of God would stand fast for an hour were it not for the faithful love which will not suffer his foot to be moved.
Amidst a thousand snares I stand
Upheld and guarded by thy hand;
That hand unseen shall hold me still,
And lead me to thy holy hill.
Psalm 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. (NASB: Lockman)
Septuagint (LXX): idou (2SAMM: aorist imperative = command which can convey a sense of urgency: pay attention! look! listen! = to arouse attention) ou (absolute negation) nustaxei (3SFAI: doze) oude (absolute negation) hupnosei (3SFAI: sleep) o phulasson (PAPMSN: continuously watching over) ton israel
English Translation of the Septuagint - Behold, he that keeps Israel shall not slumber nor sleep.
Spurgeon's Sermon - Psalm 121:4 123:2 Wakeful and Watchful Eyes
Cross-references: He Who keeps: Ps 27:1 32:7,8 127:1 Isa 27:3; Will: 1Ki 18:27 Eccl 8:16 Rev 7:15
Behold (hinneh) is a Hebrew interjection meaning look, now, etc the function of which is to call attention to the text which follows. Hinneh serves to alert the reader to give it special attention. Don't miss this point! The psalmist is focusing our attention on the truth that God keeps Israel. Indeed, the very existence of the Jew and the Jewish state of Israel is a vibrant testimony to God's "keeping power!"
THERE IS AN EYE THAT NEVER SLEEPS
There is an eye that never sleeps
Beneath the wing of night;
There is an ear that never shuts
When sink the beams of light.
There is an arm that never tires
When human strength gives way;
There is a love that never fails
When earthly loves decay.
That eye is fixed on seraph throngs;
That arm upholds the sky;
That ear is filled with angel songs;
That love is throned on high.
But there’s a power which man can wield
When mortal aid is vain,
That eye, that arm, that love to reach,
That listening ear to gain.
That power is prayer, which soars on high,
Through Jesus, to the throne,
And moves the hand which moves the world,
To bring salvation down.
Spurgeon comments that...
Behold ...is meant to attract the readers' attention. In some books, which are intended to be sensational, you are asked to behold, and when you look, there is nothing to see; but when God's Word bids you behold what it has to say, you may be sure that the exclamation is not superfluous or misleading. It would be a marring of the Word of God to leave out even one of its smallest expressions; and, therefore, when we see this word "Behold" placed at the beginning of the text, we may rest assured that there is...something worth noting, worth examining and considering, and worth remembering and carrying away.
A very useful series of discourses might be preached upon the "Beholds" of the Old and New Testaments, which culminate in John the Baptist's "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world;" and Pilate's "Behold the man;" and still more in our Lord's own message to John, "Behold, I come quickly."
(Behold in Psalm 121) tells us about God's eyes: "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." His eyes are never closed; no feeling of weariness or need of slumber ever causes them to be heavy and to shut.
He Who keeps Israel - If God has kept Israel as a distinct people group and nation for over 4000 years, surely He is able to keep your foot from slipping. God was faithful to His promise that the Hebrew people would not disappear from the face of the earth, and is just as faithful to keep you dear believer. The same Divine Guardian of Israel is the Guardian of every believer who has entered into covenant with Him by placing their faith in Jesus Christ. Study the history of this tiny country Israel which today is in some areas as narrow as 20 miles across, is surrounded by inveterate enemies, is far from being consistently obedient to Jehovah, and yet He continually keeps and watches over them. Why? Not because of their goodness or greatness but because of His faithfulness, for He is Jehovah, the covenant keeping God, Who remains faithful to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (cf Ge 12:1, 2; Ge 15:5, 18; Ge 17:7,17:8). This same covenant binds Him to faithfully, continually watch over all who have entered by faith into the New Covenant in Messiah's blood (Jer 31:31, Lk 22:30).
Dear reader, perhaps you are reading this, longing for the watch care of the Almighty, omnipotent God. If you have never truly confessed with you mouth Jesus as your Lord and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (cf Ro 10:9, 10-note), then please enter into His eternal New Covenant today by placing your faith wholeheartedly in Jesus, Who longs to be your Helper and Protector today and throughout eternity, "for the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (Ro 10:11-note)
THE UNFAILING
WATCH
In Faith's Checkbook, Spurgeon has the following devotional thoughts on this Ps 121:4...
The Unfailing Watch - Jehovah is "the Keeper of Israel." No form of unconsciousness ever steals over Him, neither the deeper slumber nor the slighter sleep. He never fails to watch the house and the heart of His people. This is a sufficient reason for our resting in perfect peace. Alexander said that he slept because his friend Parmenio watched; much more may we sleep because our God is our guard. "Behold" is here set up to call our attention to the cheering truth. Israel, when he had a stone for his pillow, fell asleep; but His God was awake and came in vision to His servant. When we lie defenseless, Jehovah Himself will cover our head. The LORD keeps His people as a rich man keeps his treasure, as a captain keeps a city with a garrison, as a sentry keeps watch over his sovereign. None can harm those who are in such keeping. Let me put my soul into His dear hands. He never forgets us, never ceases actively to care for us, never finds Himself unable to preserve us. O my LORD, keep me, lest I wander and fall and perish. Keep me, that I may keep Thy commandments. By Thine unslumbering care prevent my sleeping like the sluggard and perishing like those who sleep the sleep of death.
C H Spurgeon comments on He that keeps Israel noting that...
By this expression we understand that the Lord keeps his people as a shepherd keeps his flock. There is a great depth of meaning in that word "keep" as it is thus used; for a shepherd keeps the sheep by feeding them, by supplying all their needs, and also by guarding them from all their adversaries. He keeps the flock with vigilance so that it is not diminished either by the ravaging of the wolf or by the straying of the sheep. Both by night and by day, even an ordinary shepherd takes great pains and the utmost care to preserve his sheep; while "our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep," who was brought again from the dead, uses his omnipotence, his omniscience, and all his divine attributes in the keeping of his sheep. O beloved, if you are indeed his people, and the sheep of his pasture, rest assured that he will preserve you! You are in good keeping, for he is the good Shepherd, and the great Shepherd, and the chief Shepherd; and he will perform all the duties of his office well and faithfully, that he may keep securely all whom his Father has committed unto him.
Another figure may equally well illustrate the meaning of this expression. The Lord keeps his people, not only as a shepherd keeps his sheep, but as a king keeps his jewels. These are rare and precious things which are his peculiar treasure, and he will not lose them if he can help it. He will go to war sooner than be deprived of them. He will put them in the securest casket that he has in his strong room, and set his most faithful servants to guard the place wherein they are stored. He will charge those who have the custody of his crown jewels to take a full and accurate account of them, and to be careful to examine them from time to time to see that they are all there, for he greatly prizes them, and is not willing for one of them to be lost. They probably cost him a great price; or, if not, they are part of his royal heritage, and of the glory and honor of his kingdom, so he desires to keep them all. Even so does the Lord Jesus keep his people, far they are his jewels. He delights in them, they are his honor and his glory. They cost him a greater price than they can ever realize. He hides them away in the casket of his power, and protects them with all his wisdom and strength. Concerning those who feared the Lord, and thought upon his name, it is written, "They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels." It is God's work to keep his own jewels; he does not commit them even to the custody of the tall archangel who stands nearest to his throne, but the Lord himself keepeth them, and none shall be able to pluck them out of his hands.
This is not all, for we might multiply figures to almost any extent, and still not exhaust the meaning of the text. The Lord keeps his people as a governor keeps the city committed to his charge. He places his guards around the walls, he has his cannon on the battlements, to defend the place against those who besiege it, and he is himself constantly on the watch. Early in the morning, and late at night, he is on the walls; and through the night the watchmen keep their continual round, for the city must be preserved from scaling ladders and from assaults of every sort. The Lord will not let even the suburbs of the New Jerusalem be conquered by the foe. He will preserve the holy city, his own Church, until the day when his Son shall come to reign in her for ever.
I find that, in all probability, the figure here used is an allusion to the common custom of having guards to watch the tents of travelers passing through the desert. At this very time, if you were journeying through the Holy Land, you would find that, when you came to your camping ground, and nightfall drew on, there would be certain persons employed to watch over the different tents; for, otherwise, the wandering robbers of the desert would soon enter, and take away your valuables, or even your life. I have noticed, in the books of two or three travelers, this observation, "We found it exceedingly difficult to obtain a tant keeper who could keep awake all night." One gentleman speaks of discovering a thief in his tent, and when he went outside to call the watchman, he found that the man had gone so soundly to sleep that he could only be aroused by one or two gentle kicks. When a man has been travelling with you all day, it is unreasonable to expect him to keep awake through the night to take care of you. Hence, see the beauty of the expression used by the psalmist: "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." There shall be no deep sleep falling upon him; nay, there shall not even be a brief period of slumber, not even a wink of sleep shall ever overcome him. A man may say, "I am so tired that I cannot keep my eyes open;" but God says not so.
Will neither slumber nor sleep - Simply put "God is never caught off guard." This should encourage you, beloved. You need not fear with such a divine sentry watching over your soul. God never sleeps, and there is no danger that the psalmist will be forgotten. Isaiah records a similar truth regarding God's continual watch care...
“I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it every moment. Lest anyone damage it, I guard it night and day. (Isa 27:3)
Boice records a secular example of a vigilant watchman...
When a person asked the Greek general Alexander the Great how he could sleep soundly when he was surrounded by so much personal danger, he replied that Parmenio, his faithful guard, was watching. How much more soundly should we sleep when God, who never slumbers nor sleeps, is guarding us! (Psalms Volume 3 Psalms 107-150 Expositional Commentary).
MacDonald records a related story noting that...
Alexander the Great told his soldiers, “I wake that you may sleep.” Throughout the night hours, when we are no longer conscious of the world around us, there is One greater than Alexander who watches over us with constant, unwearied care.
Barnes rightly reminds us that...
His eyes are upon us by day, and in the darkness of the night (cp Pr 15:3) - the night literally; and also the night of calamity, woe, and sorrow....Never slumbers, never ceases to be watchful. Man sleeps; a sentinel may slumber on his post, by inattention, by long-continued wakefulness, or by weariness; a pilot may slumber at the helm; even a mother may fall asleep by the side of the sick child; but God is never exhausted, is never weary, is never inattentive. He never closes his eyes on the condition of his people, on the needs of the world.
In stark contrast are the so-called gods of men's vain imagination. Elijah ridiculed the prophets of Baal by sarcastically suggesting their god was asleep and telling them to
Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened." (1Ki 18:27).
Pagans permitted their gods to sleep, but the God of Israel is not like any god--he does not need to sleep and so is always there to help. This image of sleeplessness (and watchfulness) brings to mind the image of Jehovah, our Good Shepherd (Jehovah Roi [Raah, Rohi]), Who unceasingly watches over His "flocks" by night (cf Luke 2:8)! Dear saint, with such a Good Shepherd, instead of counting sheep, you should be able to experience comfortable sleep!
"In Mesopotamian literature a sleeping god is one who is unresponsive to the prayers of the person who is calling out for help....In a Babylonian prayer the worshiper wonders how long the deity is going to sleep." (Matthews, V, et al: The IVP Bible background commentary : Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press)
Spurgeon...
We could not stand a moment—if our Divine Keeper were to sleep! We need Him by day and by night. Not a single step can be safely taken—except under His guardian eye. God is the convoy and body-guard of His people. When dangers are all around us—we are safe, for our Preserver is awake, and will not permit us to be moved. No fatigue of exhaustion can cast our God into sleep—His watchful eyes are never closed.
><>><>><>
He's Up Anyway! - Linus Mandy wrote, "A friend was telling me she helped out at a kid's summer camp a few years ago. After rounding up the troops for the night, she told them, 'Let's go to sleep and put our cares in God's hands.' 'Yeah,' said one of the kids, 'He's up all night anyway!'"
We all battle with the problem of worry. Fears about the future gradually creep in. Then they get stronger and stronger, and can eventually become overwhelming. This happens when we begin to replace our faith with anxiety, shifting the burden from God's strong shoulders to our frail ones. We fret. We're afraid. We can't sleep.
At times like this we need to remind ourselves that God is always on the alert. He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). He knows everything, including what we fear (Ps 44:21-note). He is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-note, Ps 139:8-note; Ps 139:9-note; Ps 139:10-note). He is in charge of our world (Ep 1:11-note). Therefore, we do not need to be afraid.
Do you really believe that God sees all, knows all, is all-powerful, and is in control? Then put your cares in His hands. Entrust Him with whatever it is that's keeping you awake at night. He'll take care of it. He's the One who never slumbers nor sleeps. --D C Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
When fear and worry test your faith
And anxious thoughts assail,
Remember God is in control
And He will never fail. --Sper
Worry is a burden God never meant for us to bear.
><>><>><>
Spurgeon comments that
"As a shepherd keeps his sheep — by feeding them, by supplying all their needs, and also by guarding them from all their adversaries. He keeps the flock with vigilance so that it is not diminished either by the ravaging of the wolf or by the straying of the sheep. As a king keeps his jewels. God hides His people in the casket of His power, and protects them with all His wisdom and strength... Think of God’s eyes as never wearying of His people. Infinite patience! God is never forgetful of His people for a single moment. God is always ready to show Himself strong on behalf of those who trust Him. God is never asleep in the sense that He ceases to consider us. You and I, in thinking of one thing, often forget another; but it is not so with God. He is so great that His centre is everywhere, and His circumference is nowhere; and you, dear brother or sister, may be the very centre of God’s thoughts, and so may I; and all His redeemed may at the same moment have His thoughts fixed upon each one of them."
Spurgeon writes that
"The consoling truth must be repeated: it is too rich to be dismissed in a single line. It were well if we always imitated the sweet singer, and would dwell a little upon a choice doctrine, sucking the honey from it. What a glorious title is in the Hebrew -- "The keeper of Israel," and how delightful to think that no form of unconsciousness ever steals over him, neither the deep slumber nor the lighter sleep. He will never suffer the house to be broken up by the silent thief; he is ever on the watch, and speedily perceives every intruder. This is a subject of wonder, a theme for attentive consideration, therefore the word "Behold" is set up as a way mark. Israel fell asleep, but his God was awake. Jacob had neither walls, nor curtains, nor body guard around him; but the Lord was in that place though Jacob knew it not, and therefore the defenseless man was safe as in a castle. In after days he mentioned God under this enchanting name -- "The God that led me all my life long": perhaps David alludes to that passage in this expression. The word "keepeth" is also full of meaning: he keeps us as a rich man keeps his treasures, as a captain keeps a city with a garrison, as a royal guard keeps his monarch's head. If the former verse is in strict accuracy a prayer, this is the answer to it; it affirms the matter thus, "Lo, he shall not slumber nor sleep -- the Keeper of Israel". It may also be worthy of mention that in verse three the Lord is spoken of as the personal keeper of one individual, and here of all those who are in his chosen nation, described as Israel: mercy to one saint is the pledge of blessing to them all. Happy are the pilgrims to whom this psalm is a safe conduct; they may journey all the way to the celestial city without fear." (The Treasury of David Psalm 121:4)
><>><>><>
He Never Sleeps - Giraffes have the shortest sleep cycle of any mammal. They sleep only between 10 minutes and 2 hours in a 24-hour period and average just 1.9 hours of sleep per day. Seemingly always awake, the giraffe has nothing much in common with most humans in that regard. If we had so little sleep, it would probably mean we had some form of insomnia. But for giraffes, it’s not a sleep disorder that keeps them awake. It’s just the way God has made them.
If you think 1.9 hours a day is not much sleep, consider this fact about the Creator of our tall animal friends: Our heavenly Father never sleeps.
Describing God’s continual concern for us, the psalmist declares, “He who keeps you will not slumber” (Ps. 121:3). In the context of this psalm, the writer makes it clear that God’s sleepless vigilance is for our good. Verse 5 says, “The Lord is your keeper.” God keeps us, protects us, and cares for us—with no need for refreshing. Our Protector is constantly seeking our good. As one song puts it: “He never sleeps, He never slumbers. He watches me both night and day.”
Are you facing difficulties? Turn to the One who never sleeps. Each second of each day, let Him “preserve your going out and your coming in” (v.8). — by Bill Crowder
The Rock of Ages stands secure,
He always will be there;
He watches over all His own
To calm their anxious care.
—Keith
The One who upholds the universe
will never let you down.
><>><>><>
The Eye That Never Sleeps- Detective Allan Pinkerton became famous in the mid-1800s by solving a series of train robberies and foiling a plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln as he traveled to his first inauguration. As one of the first agencies of its kind in the US, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency gained even more prominence because of its logo of a wide-open eye with the caption, “We Never Sleep.”
There is no better feeling than knowing you are protected and secure. You feel peaceful when the doors are locked and all is quiet as you drift off to sleep at night. You feel safe. But many lie awake in their beds with fearful thoughts of the present or dread of the future. Some are afraid of commotion outside or of a spouse who has been violent. Some cannot rest because of worry over a rebellious child. Others are anxiously listening to make sure a seriously ill child is still breathing.
These are the times when our loving God encourages us to cry out to Him, to the One who will neither “slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4). Psalm 34:15 reminds us that “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.”
Pinkerton may have been the original “private eye,” but the One who really has the eye that never sleeps is listening to the cries of “the righteous” (Ps. 34:17). — by Cindy Hess Kasper
Before you sleep, just gently lay
Every troubled thought away;
Drop your burden and your care
In the quiet arms of prayer.
—Anon.
We can sleep in peace
when we remember that God is awake.
Psalm 121:5 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. (NASB: Lockman)
Septuagint (LXX): kurios phulaxei (3SFAI: shall keep you) se kurios skepe (shade as suggesting protection or security) sou epi cheira (hand) dexian (right) sou
English Translation of the Septuagint - The Lord shall keep thee: the Lord is thy shelter upon thy right hand.
Cross-Reference: Shade: Ex 13:21 Isa 4:5,6 25:4 32:2 Mt 23:37; On right hand: Ps 16:8 109:31
Jehovah is your (personal) Keeper (shamar) - He Himself is your Guardian, Preserver, Defender. See also Ps 121:7 where "LORD will protect" and Ps 121:8 where "LORD will guard" both = Jehovah shamar. As Albert Barnes says...
He will keep time from danger; he will keep thee from sin; he will keep thee unto salvation.
David describes Jehovah as His Defender in Psalm 41
How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble. 2 Jehovah will protect (shamar) him, and keep him alive, And he shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. (Ps 41:1-2)
We see this same truth in several other psalms...
The LORD preserves (Jehovah shamar) the simple (Those whose lack of wisdom and experience exposes them to danger. - Ryrie); I was brought low, and He saved me. (Ps 116:6)
(A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.) Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards (Jehovah shamar) the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. (Ps 127:1)
Comment: This is most instructive verse - (1) It teaches the foundational truth that man has a responsibility, but he can do nothing in the supernatural realm without God's enablement! Compare this same truth in Phil 2:12 and Phil 2:13. (2) The watchman is only effective because God is the Guard, the Defender!
Spurgeon: Around the wall the sentinels pace with constant step; but yet the city is betrayed unless the alert Watcher is with them. We are not safe because of watchmen if Jehovah refuses to watch over us. Even if the guards are wakeful, and do their duty, still the place may be surprised if God be not there. "I, the Lord, do keep it", is better than an army of sleepless guards. Note that the Psalmist does not bid the builder cease from laboring, nor suggest that watchmen should neglect their duty (MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY - which refutes the specious teaching of "Let go, let God"), nor that men should show their trust in God by doing nothing: nay, he supposes that they will do all that they can do, and then he forbids their fixing their trust in what they have done, and assures them that all creature effort will be in vain unless the Creator puts forth His power (GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY), to render second causes effectual. Holy Scripture endorses the order of Cromwell -- "Trust in God, and keep your powder dry": only here the sense is varied, and we are told that the dried powder will not win the victory unless we trust in God. Happy is the man who hits the golden mean by so working as to believe in God, and so believing in God as to work without fear.
The LORD keeps (Jehovah shamar) all who love Him; But all the wicked, He will destroy. (Ps 145:20)
Comment: Who "loves" Him? Only those who have believed love God, having been justified (declared in right standing before God by grace through faith) and had the love of God poured out within their hearts (Ro 5:5). Because of this spiritual transaction, they are able to lovingly obey God's laws (note: not legalistically, but lovingly, as motivated and enabled by the indwelling Spirit), such obedience itself even being a mark that one loves God and belongs to God's family. (Jn 14:15, 21, 23, 1Jn 5:2)
The LORD protects (Jehovah shamar) the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow; But He thwarts the way of the wicked. (Ps 146:9)
Consider pausing a moment to offer up the following hymn as a prayer and doing so without any doubting beloved, because our Great Father Who art in heaven is faithful to His Word...
- Bible
- Read the Bible
- Bible Versions
- Verse of the Day
- Reading Plans
- Verses by Topic
- Books of the Bible
- Bible Images
- Study
- Commentaries
- Concordances
- Dictionaries
- Encyclopedias
- Sermons
- Bible Atlas & Maps
- BP Wiki
- Devotionals
- Today's Devotionals
- Light of the World
- All Devotionals
- Inspirational Quotes
- More
- Picture Quotes
- Videos
- Inspirational
- Bible Study
- What The Bible Says
- Bible Q&As
- Daily Bread
- Bible by Genre
- Bible Stories
- Random Bible Verse
- Community
- Store