Psalms 121:5
Psalms 121:5 in Multiple Translations
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The Lord keeps watch over you; the Lord protects you; he stands right beside you.
The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shadow at thy right hand.
Jehovah [is] thy preserver, Jehovah [is] thy shade on thy right hand,
The LORD is your keeper. The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David.
Yahweh watches over us; he is like the shade [MET] that protects us from the sun.
God is the one that looks after you properly. When the sun is really hot, you know how good it is to rest under a shady tree. Well, when life gets tough for you, God will be close to you and help you, like he is a shady tree for you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 121:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 121:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְהוָ֥ה
שֹׁמְרֶ֑/ךָ
יְהוָ֥ה
צִ֝לְּ/ךָ֗
עַל
יַ֥ד
יְמִינֶֽ/ךָ
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
שֹׁמְרֶ֑/ךָ
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal | Suff
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
צִ֝לְּ/ךָ֗
tsêl
H6738
shadow
N-ms | Suff
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יַ֥ד
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs
יְמִינֶֽ/ךָ
yâmîyn
H3225
Ben]jamin
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 121:5
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
שֹׁמְרֶ֑/ךָ
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal | Suff
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
צִ֝לְּ/ךָ֗
tsêl
H6738
"shadow"
N-ms | Suff
A shadow refers to a dark area, often providing shade or protection, like the shadow of a tree in Isaiah 4:6. It can also symbolize the fleeting nature of life, as mentioned in Psalm 102:11.
Definition: 1) shadow, shade 1a) shadow (on dial) 1b) shadow, shade (as protection) 1c) shadow (symbolic of transitoriness of life) Also means: tse.lel (צֵלֶל "shadow" H6752)
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: defence, shade(-ow). See also: Genesis 19:8; Ecclesiastes 7:12; Psalms 17:8.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יַ֥ד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
יְמִינֶֽ/ךָ
yâmîyn
H3225
"Ben]jamin"
N-fs | Suff
Benjamin was a son of Israel and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph, mentioned in Genesis 35:18. The name also refers to the right hand or south direction.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18; son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354); brother of: Joseph (H3130); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); father of: Bela (H1106A), Becher (H1071), Ashbel (H0788), Gera (H1617), Naaman (H5283), Ehi (H0278), Rosh (H7220), Muppim (H4649), Huppim (H2650H), Ard (H0714), Ahiram (H0297) and Jediael (H3043); also called Jamin at 1Sa.9.1,4; 22.7; 1x Another name of bin.ya.min (בִּנְיָמִין "Benjamin" H1144G)
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south. See also: Genesis 13:9; Psalms 18:36; Psalms 16:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 121:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 121:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 121:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 121:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 121:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 121:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
- Sermons on Psalms 121:5
Context — I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills
3He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
4Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.
6The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 25:4 | For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall, |
| 2 | Psalms 91:1 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. |
| 3 | Isaiah 4:5–6 | Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy, a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain. |
| 4 | Psalms 16:8 | I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. |
| 5 | Exodus 13:21 | And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. |
| 6 | Psalms 109:31 | For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul. |
| 7 | Isaiah 32:2 | Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land. |
| 8 | Matthew 23:37 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! |
Psalms 121:5 Summary
The LORD is our keeper, which means He watches over and takes care of us, always being mindful of our well-being. He is like a shade on our right hand, providing us with comfort and protection from the challenges we face. This means we can trust in His goodness and faithfulness, even when things seem difficult, just as it is written in Psalm 23:4 that the LORD is with us, even in the valley of the shadow of death. By remembering that the LORD is our keeper, we can find peace and rest in His presence, knowing that He will guard us from all evil (Psalms 121:7).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the LORD to be our keeper?
The LORD being our keeper means He watches over and protects us, as seen in Psalms 121:5, and is always mindful of our well-being, just as a shepherd keeps his sheep (Psalm 23:1-4).
How can we trust that the LORD will not let us slip or stumble?
We can trust in the LORD's promise to keep us from slipping, as stated in Psalms 121:3, because He is always watching over us and is our Protector, who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4).
What is the significance of the LORD being the shade on our right hand?
The LORD being the shade on our right hand, as mentioned in Psalms 121:5, symbolizes His constant presence and protection in our lives, providing us with comfort and relief from the challenges we face, much like the shade provides relief from the scorching sun (Isaiah 4:6).
How does this verse relate to our daily lives?
This verse reminds us that the LORD is always with us, watching over and protecting us, and that we can trust in His goodness and faithfulness, even in the midst of challenges, just as it is written in Psalm 34:19 that the LORD delivers the righteous from all their troubles.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can practically trust in the LORD's keeping power in my life today?
- How does the promise of the LORD's protection shape my perspective on the challenges I am currently facing?
- In what ways can I rest in the shade of the LORD's presence, and find comfort in His constant care for me?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to remember that the LORD is my keeper, and ask for His help and protection?
Gill's Exposition on 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,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 121:5
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
Thy shade; both to refresh thee and keep thee from the burning heat of the sun, as it is expressed in the next verse, and to protect thee by his power from all thine enemies; for which reason God is oft called a shadow in Scripture. Upon thy right hand; partly to uphold thy right hand, which is the chief instrument of action; and partly to defend thee in that place where thine enemies oppose thee; of which on . And compare 109:31.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
Psalms 121:5 The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.Ver. 5. The Lord is thy keeper] His peace within thee and his power without thee shall safeguard thee to his heavenly kingdom, φρουρησει, Philippians 4:7. The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand] To shelter and shield thee from all annoyances, as the pillar of cloud did the Israelites in the wilderness, as the poet feigneth that Paris, out matched by Menelaus in a duel, was by Venus wrapped in a cloud, and carried off.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
(5) Thy keeper.—Notice again how the prominent word is caught up from the preceding verse and amplified, and then again repeated, and again amplified in Psalms 121:7-8, where preserve is an unfortunate substitution by the Authorised Version. Shade.—An image of protection, and one peculiarly attractive to the Oriental. (See Numbers 14:9, margin; Psalms 91:1; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 32:2.) Upon thy right hand.—Some commentators combine this expression with the figure of the shadow, supposing the psalmist, in the phrase “right hand,” to allude to the south or sunny side. But this is prosaic. No doubt there is here, as so often, a confused combination of metaphors. We have several times met with the figure of the right-hand comrade in war, a protection to the unshielded side (Psalms 16:8; Psalms 109:31, &c).
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 121:5
5–8. The comforting thought that Jehovah is the guardian of Israel is developed and appropriated to each individual Israelite. Psalms 121:5; Psalms 121:7 may have been sung by one singer or group of singers, and Psalms 121:6; Psalms 121:8 as a response by another singer or group of singers: or perhaps Psalms 121:5-6 by one, and Psalms 121:7-8 by another.
Barnes' Notes on 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.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 121:5
5. Thy shade—Shadow, as a covering, gives the idea, figuratively, of protection, as Psalms 91:1; Isaiah 30:2-3, and is here parallel to keeper in the first member of the verse.
Sermons on Psalms 121:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Call to Faith by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of faith and the need to challenge, commit, and obligate oneself to God. He references the story of Joshua in the Bible, wher |
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How Satan Destroys a Church - Part 1 (Guard Your Garden) by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a hunter encountering a bear and how they negotiate their desires. He then goes on to talk about his experiences and travels, whic |
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The Spiritual Watch by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of keeping our hearts diligently, as they are the source of life and the seat of our thoughts, desires, and actions. He emphasizes the d |
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Jesus the Keeper by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes the profound truth that the Lord is our keeper, urging young disciples to trust in God's ability to preserve and protect them. He draws from Psalm 121 and |
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Kept by the Power of God by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson shares the powerful story from 2 Kings 6, illustrating how the prophet Elisha was kept by the power of God amidst the threats from the Syrian army. Despite being su |
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Psalm 17 by Henry Law | F. B. Meyer, Andrew Murray, and A. J. Gordon delve into the profound truths of Romans 6:11, emphasizing the believer's death to sin and life in Christ. They discuss the sensitivity |
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The Home-Bird by John Henry Jowett | John Henry Jowett emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the secret place of the Almighty, contrasting those who merely pay courtesy-calls to God with those who have a deep, inti |