Matthew henrys bible commentary concise read all of psalm 121 complete concise. After personally celebrating yahwehs guardianship in verses 12, the psalmist turns to give assurance to others in verses 38. Nothing is known, or can be known, of the author or of the occasion on which it was composed. Jan 27, 2012 psalm 121 is a treasure of promise for the suffering believer, whose help comes from the lord verse 2. Oct 20, 20 the respondent further declares that the lord will not slumber and will not be asleep verses 34. Alexander went to sleep, he said, because parmenio watched. A prayer and 5 truths from psalm 121 debbie mcdaniel christian blog and commentary on crosswalk.
Psalms 121 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. Comments on the book of psalms chapter 121 from the king james bible online. Threatenings against the enemies of christs kingdom. Psalm bible book with full chapters king james version. The spirit, who is their preserver and comforter, shall abide with them for ever. Psalm 121 is the 121st psalm of the book of psalms.
If you want to accept jesus as your personal lord and savior and enjoy the benefits of the bible fully, please pray this prayer, lord j. Ps 121 is the second song of a series of songs called song of ascents that begin in the last chapter, psalms 120. He will be our keeper, our shade upon our right hand psalms 121. Calvins commentary on the psalms, anew translation of which.
It speaks of gods help, protection, and vigilant watchcare. The last and highest degree of this song is attained in ps 121. The hymnal of israel, book v psalms 107150 previous page next page psalm 121 bible commentary on the book of psalms, chapter 121, by. How does the corporate aspect of protection and care apply.
Journeys tend to be significant times for those who take them. This, with the remainder of the psalm, seems to be of the nature of an answer to the anxious question in psalm 121. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. I will lift up mine eyesexpresses desire compare ps 25. View the entire commentary more information on commentaries. According to many researchers it was ezra, the priest and scribe, himself who completed the final collection of the psalms ezra 3. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of psalm in the bible king james version. David guzik commentary on psalm 121, which is another song of ascents, declaring the secure. Thomas benton, in annotations on the book of job and the psalms, 1732. It moves naturally from the need for help verses 12, to the promise of gods protection verses 38.
They are also variously called gradual psalms, songs of degrees, songs of steps or pilgrim songs. Though the paths of life are dangerous and difficult, yet we shall stand fast, for. A pilgrimage reading of psalm 121 167 dialogue within the pilgrims inner self, or an antiphonal song between pilgrims, or between a pilgrim and someone giving blessing,19 there is clearly a shift from the first person to the third person at verse 3. Psalms 121, new international version niv the bible app. Dewette and rosenmuller suppose that it was composed in the exile. Geneva study bible commentary on psalms chapter 121. It begins with an acknowledgment of god as creator and ends with a declaration of personal trust in his providential care. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber.
Eventually well learn that, if we can only hold fast. Then i proclaimed a fast there, at the river of ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our god, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for. The lord watches over you the lord is your shade at your right hand. Statements of confidence in gods protection and declarations of gods faithful character dominate psalm 121. As a song sung by travelers, this is particular relevant for its trust in god through the journey. Verse 1b, should probably be retranslated as a question, which is quite permissible. We must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes. This is the second of the series of psalms titled, a song of ascents. Commentary on the book of psalms calvin university. Many collections preceded this final compilation of the psalms. The notes explain some of the words with a star by them. Psalms 121 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
It is several steps in advance of its predecessor, for it tells of the peace of gods house, and the guardian care of the lord, while psalm 120 bemoans the departure of peace from the good mans abode, and his exposure to the venomous assaults of slanderous tongues. Psalms 121 verses 18 speaks to me as a matter of fact psalms 121 verse 18 are my favorite. Perhaps some internal connexion might be traced between all. Psalms, chapter 121 king james version christian answers. Commentary on psalms 121 by matthew henry blue letter bible. Psalms 121 hebrew english translation massoretic text mt. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of catholic online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. God offers advice at night during the darkest hours, and the writer shall not be moved because he has confidence in gods ability to stay by his side forever.
In other places in the book of psalms, the psalm singers call on the lord to awaken psalms 7. Bible commentary on the book of psalms, chapter 121, by dr. In latin, it is known as levavi oculos meos in montes. The singer of this psalm looked to the hills, likely the distant hills of. My help comes from the lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Buy book tehillim is recited by jewish people collectively and individually, as the desire occurs to offer praise and thanksgiving to gd. Psalms 121 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by charles ellicott has been an oft consulted resource by. American war, wrote, my favorite chapter is the travellers psalm, psalm 121. Some call this the soldiers psalm, and think it was penned in the camp, when david was hazarding his life in the high places of the field, and thus trusted god to cover his head in the day of battle. Commentaries for psalm chapter 121 the safety of the godly. His gracious power will overshadow us at every step we take. As jews made pilgrimages to jerusalem, these are the songs sung while traveling the roads slowly leading up to jerusalem, culminating in their arrival at the temple. Psalms 121 commentary ellicotts commentary for english readers. Psalm 121 the lord is your keeper introduction psalms 1204 are each labeled as a song of ascent. In the greek septuagint version of the bible, and in the latin vulgate, this psalm is psalm 120 in a slightly different numbering system. Scholars see psalms 1 and 2 as a deliberate psalm pair, meant to introduce the entire psalter with important themes. To god be all the glory, honor, thanksgiving and praises, amen.
Catholic online is a project of your catholic voice foundation, a notforprofit corporation. Psalms 122 chapter 121 some call this the soldiers psalm, and think it was penned in the camp, when david was hazarding his life in the high places of the field, and thus trusted god to cover his head in the day of battle. Others call it the travellers psalm for there is nothing in it of military dangers and think david penned it when he was going abroad, and designed it pro vehiculofor the carriage, for a good mans convoy and companion in a journey or. The sinfulness and misery of a wicked man, the ground and reason of both. Some scholars suggest that pilgrims sang this psalm en route to jerusalem and its temple. Your catholic voice foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under section 501c3 of the internal revenue code. Yet, unlike the previous psalm, here the psalmist declares a desire to look to the mountains. In various analyses, this observation is a con stant.
The beginning in the english, in the king james version, is i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalm 121 is one of fifteen songs of ascents psalms 1204 that were sung at three annual festival processions as the israelite pilgrims ascended to jerusalem to worship god. David livingstone, the famous missionary and explorer of the continent of africa, read psalm 121 and psalm 5, which praises god for his sovereign rule over all things, as. Genesis, the book of beginnings, uses the phrase lift eyes times gen. These are all of the chapters of the book of psalm. Psalms 121 verses 18 speaks to me as a matter of fact psalms 121 verse 18 are my. Psalms 7 clearly refers to the babylonian captivity. Though the paths of life are dangerous and difficultyet we shall stand fast. Psalm 121 is part of a group of psalms psalms 1204 placed together for that purpose. The last clause, read as a question, is answered, 2. At that time psalms appears also to have been used as a title for the entire section of the hebrew ot canon more commonly known as the writings see lk 24. This psalm fits well against the backdrop of a pilgrimage for it is concerned with the uncertainties one faces on such a journey. Psalms 12 an introduction to the psalms summary these psalms together announce what it takes to be happy as a child of god 1. This is my assurance that this bible verses applies to me, my family, and all those i pray for each and everyday.
The sleeping deity is a literary motif found in numerous texts in the ancient near east. There are no references or allusions to psalm 121 in the new testament. In step with the psalms psalm 121 inductive discovery lesson 17 the picture david paints for the reader in psalm 121 is from the vantage point of standing in the jericho valley, some twelve hundred feet below sea level, gazing upward to the mountains surrounding jerusalem. Perhaps some internal connexion might be traced between all the fifteen psalms of degrees. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved he will enable you to stand firm. An easyenglish translation with notes about 1200 word vocabulary on psalm 121. Thou mayest slumber, for thou art frail, but he is a watchman to whose eyes sleep never comes. The lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. The book of psalms is the first and main book of the third part of the hebrew bible, of the writings hebr. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills to zion and moriah, called the holy mountains, psalm 87. Psalms 121 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. He declares the nature of gods guarding role in verse 34. These statements and declarations appear together as a liturgy, as indicated by the shift in voices throughout the psalm.
From the pulpit commentary we read, in whatever special circumstances, or for whatever. Feb 04, 2017 ps 121 is the second song of a series of songs called song of ascents that begin in the last chapter, psalms 120. Psalm 121 is a treasure of promise for the suffering believer, whose help comes from the lord verse 2. I will have an eye to the special presence of god in his church, and with his people, and from thence i will expect help. A word list at the end explains all the words that have a star. Walking this path would mean a potential encounter with the likes of.
Psalms chapter 121 king james version of the holy bible. Rosenmuller regarding it as a psalm to be sung on the return to. Four of them ps 122, 124, 1 and 3 are linked in their ascriptions to david, and one. Psalm 121, joan stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary psalms, 2011. Psalms with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.