Psalms 121 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
THY WORD IS TRUTH
The Law
History
Poetry & Wisdom
The Prophets
The Gospels & Acts
The Letters
Prophecy
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150
Psalms 121
I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes Unto the Hills
1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 121
Psa 121:1-8. God's guardian care of His people celebrated.
1. I will lift up mine eyes--expresses desire (compare Psa 25:1), mingled with expectation. The last clause, read as a question, is answered,
PSALM 121
Psa 121:1-8. God's guardian care of His people celebrated.
1. I will lift up mine eyes--expresses desire (compare Psa 25:1), mingled with expectation. The last clause, read as a question, is answered,
The Pulpit Commentary
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. The "holy hills," that stand round about Jerusalem, are intended (Psa_87:1; Psa_125:2). There God had "promised his blessing, even life forevermore" (Psa_133:3). From whence cometh my help. Most modern critics regard this clause as interrogative, and translate, "Whence is it that my help shall come?" But "the question is only asked to give more effect to the answer" (Cheyne).
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. The "holy hills," that stand round about Jerusalem, are intended (Psa_87:1; Psa_125:2). There God had "promised his blessing, even life forevermore" (Psa_133:3). From whence cometh my help. Most modern critics regard this clause as interrogative, and translate, "Whence is it that my help shall come?" But "the question is only asked to give more effect to the answer" (Cheyne).
2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. by avowing God to be the helper, of whose ability His creative power is a pledge (Psa 115:15), to which,
2. by avowing God to be the helper, of whose ability His creative power is a pledge (Psa 115:15), to which,
The Pulpit Commentary
My help cometh from the Lord; literally, my help is from the Lord. He alone has both the power and the will to assist me. Which made heaven and earth; i.e. "which is omnipotent."
My help cometh from the Lord; literally, my help is from the Lord. He alone has both the power and the will to assist me. Which made heaven and earth; i.e. "which is omnipotent."
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3-4. His sleepless vigilance is added.
to be moved--(Compare Psa 38:16; 66:9).
3-4. His sleepless vigilance is added.
to be moved--(Compare Psa 38:16; 66:9).
The Pulpit Commentary
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. The psalmist addresses himself with consolatory assurances. God will not allow any evil to approach him, so as to do him hurt. He that keepeth thee will not slumber. God does not sleep—his vigilance is unceasing (comp. Isa_27:3).
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. The psalmist addresses himself with consolatory assurances. God will not allow any evil to approach him, so as to do him hurt. He that keepeth thee will not slumber. God does not sleep—his vigilance is unceasing (comp. Isa_27:3).
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Pulpit Commentary
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The assurance rises from the particular to the general. It is not one Israelite alone over whom God will watch unceasingly, but the whole people of Israel.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The assurance rises from the particular to the general. It is not one Israelite alone over whom God will watch unceasingly, but the whole people of Israel.
5The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. upon thy right hand--a protector's place (Psa 109:31; 110:5).
5. upon thy right hand--a protector's place (Psa 109:31; 110:5).
The Pulpit Commentary
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."
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."
6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6-8. God keeps His people at all times and in all perils.
nor the moon by night--poetically represents the dangers of the night, over which the moon presides (Ge 1:16).
6-8. God keeps His people at all times and in all perils.
nor the moon by night--poetically represents the dangers of the night, over which the moon presides (Ge 1:16).
The Pulpit Commentary
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. These were the chief dangers of travelers, whether pilgrims or others. Coup de soleil was feared by day, and the deleterious influence of the moon's rays by night. This last has sometimes been doubted, but the observation of modern travelers seems to show that bad effects actually fellow on sleeping in the moonlight in hot countries.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. These were the chief dangers of travelers, whether pilgrims or others. Coup de soleil was feared by day, and the deleterious influence of the moon's rays by night. This last has sometimes been doubted, but the observation of modern travelers seems to show that bad effects actually fellow on sleeping in the moonlight in hot countries.
7The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Pulpit Commentary
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; or, "keep thee." The same verb is used throughout. He shall preserve thy soul; or, keep thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; or, "keep thee." The same verb is used throughout. He shall preserve thy soul; or, keep thy soul.
8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
The Pulpit Commentary
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in (comp. Deu_28:6; 1Sa_29:6; 2Sa_3:25; 1Ki_3:7; 2Ki_19:27). The phrase is an equivalent of "The Lord shall preserve thee in all thy ways" (Psa_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.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in (comp. Deu_28:6; 1Sa_29:6; 2Sa_3:25; 1Ki_3:7; 2Ki_19:27). The phrase is an equivalent of "The Lord shall preserve thee in all thy ways" (Psa_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.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 121
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
KING JAMES VERSION
HOLY
BIBLE
BIBLE
KING JAMES VERSION
TAP THE BIBLE TO OPEN IT