Psalms 121

A Song of Degrees. If David was the author of this Psalm, (and to whom can we with so much likelihood ascribe it?) it is an expression of the high trust and confidence which he reposed in God, when he was in great straits, and saw no hope of human help: being either environed by Saul’s forces, or pursued by his son Absalom. It is hard to say to which it belongs; but if by hills in the first verse we understand Zion and Moriah, where David’s palace and the ark of God were placed; then it must be referred to the latter: for Zion was not theirs, during Saul’s persecution. There are those indeed, who, following Kimchi, take the first verse to be a military form of speech; and suppose David to have looked round about him, as a captain in danger doth, to see if he could spy any assistance coming to him down the neighbouring hills wherewith he was encompassed. But the other sense seems to me more simple; which therefore I have followed: though, if we should adhere to that conjecture, still it will best agree to the distress into which Absalom had reduced him. For then he might well look to see if any of his subjects, continuing their fidelity to him, would appear to defend him. Why called a Song of Degrees, sec Psal. cxx. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.] Be not troubled that thou art forced to take up thy quarters in the open field: for the sun shall do thee no hurt by its vehement heat in the day, nor the moon by its cold and moisture in the night, (2 Sam. xvii. 1. 6. 22.)

Psalms 121:1

JL WILL lift vp mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. Though I am driven not only from my own palace, but from God’s dwelling-place, (2 Sam, xv. 14.25.) yet my eyes shall be ever directed thitherward: from whence I expect a powerful aid against those numerous enemies that are combined to destroy me.

Psalms 121:2

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. I have no dependance on any other help, but wait for deliverance wholly from the presence of the Lord: to whom all creatures are subject, and w r ho hath angels at his command, to send to the succour of his servants; for he made the heaven as well as the eaTth.

Psalms 121:3

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. And methinks I hear his ministers calling to me out of his holy place, and saying, Fear not, since thou hast placed thy confidence in the Lord alone, he will not let thee be subverted: thou hast a stronger guard than the most valiant army w r ould be to thee; for they may be tired and fall asleep, but he that hath thee in his custody mil exercise a most unwearied care over thee.

Psalms 121:4

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slum’ ber nor sleep. Be confident of it; he that is the protector of all good men, will never in the least neglect thee; much less abandon the care of thee: but, by a most watchful providence, keep thee in safety.

Psalms 121:5

The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The omnipotent Lord of the w r orld is thy guardian: the very same Lord that covered your forefathers with a glorious cloud (Exod. xiii. 21.) is always present with thee, to defend and assist thee against all the enemies that assault thee.

Psalms 121:7

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soid. The Lord shall preserve thee from all manner of harm: he will preserve thy life, and not suffer thee to fall into the hands of those that contrive to take it away, (2 Sam. xvii. 1, 2. 14.)

Psalms 121:8

The Lord shall preserve thy going. out, and thy coming in, from this time forth, and even for evermore. The Lord shall secure thee w r hithersoever thou marchest; and prosper thee all along in thy undertakings, either abroad or within doors: not only now, but in all future times, to the end of thy days.