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Jehovah Ezer: The LORD our Helper
Psalm 121 Commentary (below)
Greek/Hebrew Word Studies on Help
Commentaries on the Psalms

Related Resources: Make a joyful noise to Jehovah -

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's version "My Help" ("My Help - solo")

Psalm 121 instrumental video with Psalm 121 in background

I Lift Up My Eyes

Lift Up My Eyes - More mellow version)

I To The Hills Will Lift My Eyes - cyberhymnal

Mine Eyes Look Toward the Mountains - cyberhymnal

This psalm is anonymous humanly speaking but 2Peter 1:21 (note) (cp Lk 1:70, Ac 1:16, 3:18, 28:25, 2Sa 23:2, He 3:7, 8-note, He 9:8-note, He 10:15-note) still applies of course. The circumstances that led to this psalm and specifically which cause the psalmist to look to the mountains are not clearly stated. The implication of his looking for help is that he may have been in a state of anxiety or distress. On a more pragmatic level, aren't we all in need of the LORD's help to one degree or another every day? As Paul reminds us in Acts God "is not far from each one of us for in Him we live and move and exist." (Acts 17:27, 28 - see also God's Omnipresence) We need His help every moment of every day.

Click here for sermon on Psalm 121 entitled The Traveler's Psalm  by Robert Morgan.

Ascents = The Songs (Psalms) of Ascent comprised Psalm 120-134 which together appears to have formed a "hymn book" used by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem (which is elevated). Most interpreters feel that these 15 psalms were sung in the context of the great pilgrimage feasts in which the nation of Israel was called to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate:

(1) the Feast of Unleavened Bread (commemorating the Exodus) in the Spring,

(2) the Feast of the Harvest or Weeks (Pentecost - the expression of gratitude for the provision of grain) in the early Summer and

(3) the Feast of Booths or Ingathering (Tabernacles - expression of thanksgiving for the final harvest) in the Fall. (Ex 23:14, 15, 16, 17; Isa 30:29).

It is also very possible that these psalms of ascent were among those sung by the returning exiles from Babylon as they ascended the mountains to Jerusalem and home (Ezra 2:1; 7:7).

Notice that this psalm can be "subdivided" in to

(1) The Anticipation of Divine Help (Psalm 121:1-2) in which the psalmist speaks in the first person  ("I," "my," Psalm 121:1-2) and

(2) The Assurance of Divine Help (Psalm 121:3-8), which is written in the second person singular ("you," "your"), which might have been to allow this segment to be sung antiphonally.

Looking at this psalm another way, the second six verses explain the Divine help mentioned in the first two verses. The explanation in the second could represent a dialogue between two parties (some commentaries suggest the psalmist and a priest). Alternatively the psalmist could be "preaching" or dialoguing with himself (between the godly man and his inner self) as we see in Psalms 42 and 43. where David is also seeking "help"

I will - This signifies that the psalmist makes a choice of his will (a volitional choice) to look up to God. How often when faced with a test, trial or affliction, I choose to look down in self-pity or around at adverse circumstances, rather than gazing upward to my Omnipotent God!

This phrase I will also indicates the psalmist recognizes that the godly man stands in continual need of and dependence upon Jehovah's help. Keen writes that

He waits — he expects — he obtains. The truest vision is soul-vision. Looking up in solicitation, contemplation, expectation. “Up,” from the mud and mire of earth, and the sins and sorrows of self. (Keen, J O: Biblical Illustrator)

Lift up my eyes to the mountains-This Hebrew phrase ("lift up my eyes") frequently indicates a looking and seeing with anticipation of or disposition toward the object  specifically the mountains. Compare first a bad example Ge 39:7,

Here is a good example Ps 123:1

"To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens!

Commenting on Psalm 123:1 C H Spurgeon writes...

We are climbing. The first step (Ps 120) saw us lamenting our troublesome surroundings, and the next saw us lifting or eyes to the hills and resting in assured security (Ps 121:1); from this we rose to delight in the house of the Lord; but here we look to the Lord Himself, and this is the highest ascent of all by many degrees. The eyes are now looking above the hills, and above Jehovah's footstool on earth, to His throne in the heavens. Let us know it as "the Psalm of the eyes". Old authors call it Oculus "Sperans" or the eye of hope. It is a short Psalm, written with singular art, containing one thought, and expressing if in a most engaging manner. Doubtless it would be a favourite song among the people of God. It has been conjectured that this brief song, or rather sigh, may have first been heard in the days of Nehemiah, or under the persecutions of Antiochus. It may be so, but there is no evidence of it; it seems to us quite as probable that afflicted ones in all periods after David's time found this psalm ready to their hand If it appears to describe days remote from David, it is all the more evident that the Psalmist was also a prophet, and sang what he saw in vision.

Ps 123:1 - Unto thee lift I up mine eyes. It is good to have some one to look up to. The Psalmist looked so high that he could look no higher. Not to the hills, but to the God of the hills he looked. He believed in a personal God, and knew nothing of that modern pantheism which is nothing more than atheism wearing a fig leaf. The uplifted eyes naturally and instinctively represent the state of heart which fixes desire, hope, confidence, and expectation upon the Lord. God is everywhere, and yet it is most natural to think of him as being above us, in that glory land which lies beyond the skies.

O Thou that dwells in the heavens, just sets forth ,the unsophisticated idea of a child of God in distress: God is, God is in heaven, God resides in one place, and God is evermore the same, therefore will I look to him. When we cannot look to any helper on a level with us, it is greatly wise to look above us; in fact, if we have a thousand helpers, our eyes should still be toward the Lord. The higher the Lord is the better for our faith, since that height represents power, glory, and excellence, and these will be all engaged on our behalf. We ought to be very thankful for spiritual eyes; the blind men of this world, however much of human learning they may possess, cannot behold our God, for in heavenly matters they are devoid of sight. Yet we must use our eyes with resolution, for they will not go upward to the Lord of themselves, but they incline to look downward, or inward, or anywhere but to the Lord: let it be our firm resolve that the heavenward glance shall not be lacking. If we cannot see God, at least we will look towards him. God is in heaven as a king in his palace; he is here revealed, adored, and glorified: thence he looks down on the world and sends succours to his saints as their needs demand; hence we look up, even when our sorrow is so great that we can do no more. It is a blessed condescension on God's part that he permits us to lift up our eyes to his glorious high throne; yea, more, that he invites and even commands us so to do. When we are looking to the Lord in hope, it is well to tell him so in prayer: the Psalmist uses his voice as well as his eye. We need not speak in prayer; a glance of the eye will do it all; for - -

"Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near."

Still, it is helpful to the heart to use the tongue, and we do well to address ourselves in words and sentences to the God who heareth his people. It is no small joy that our God is always at home: he is not on a journey, like Baal, but he dwells in the heavens. Let us think no hour of the day inopportune for waiting upon the Lord; no watch of the night too dark for us to look to him.

When the out-look is bleak
Remember the up-look.

The psalmist looks first at what he can see but recognizes shortly that his real help comes from the One Who is unseen. And so he looks with eyes of faith, even as did Moses who

by faith... left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing Him Who is unseen. (He 11:27- note) (Ask yourself "Why did Moses endure? What enabled him to not be fearful of a tyrannical human magistrate? Observe the text again if unsure.)

What storm are you in now, dear child of the Living God? Where are your eyes - on the storm or on Jehovah, the One Who is in control of the storm and Who is described as your Helper in this psalm? From television pop psychologists to the unbelievable proliferation of "self-help" books, the world is screaming at us to seek help from deep within ourselves, when all the time (Psalm 121:6 "by day...by night") we have access to Jehovah our Helper. Let us not neglect His help as did Judah. Jehovah, speaking to faithless Judah, declared

My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer 2:13)

Beloved, are you at this very present time in need of help? Then lift your eyes not to the creation but unto your Creator, Who stands ready to run to your cry for help (cp Ps 46:1-note, Ps 46:2-note)

Corrie Ten Boom would say to us...

Looking to Jesus and experiencing rest in Him is the same idea brought out by Solomon in Proverbs 18:10...

The Name of the LORD (Jehovah) is a strong tower. The righteous runs into it and is safe. (see notes)

Comment: Notice that truth precedes behavior. In other words first we note Who God is - a strong tower (metaphorically or figuratively speaking). But it is not just enough to know Who He is. It is not enough as some falsely teach just to "Let go and let God", which absolves us of any human responsibility. The righteous man is a wise person, because he or she makes the choice to believe God and to run into the "cleft of the Rock", knowing that He is the believer's personal Shield and Defender (our Strong Tower). Acting on the truth about God ("running into" the truth about Him, believing that truth, acting accordingly) brings us safely into His presence. It is notable that the Hebrew word for safe actually pictures one being elevated above the roaring waves of the trial or affliction, just like a coastal home elevated on stilts escapes the surging seas of an on rushing hurricane.

Although the psalmist can see the mountains (or has a memory of actually having seen them) surrounding Jerusalem, here he sees with the eye of faith. As one sage has asked

Are, to us, the things unseen the solid things, and the things visible the shadows and the phantoms? We see with the bodily eyes the shadows on the wall, as it were, but we have to turn round and see with the eyes of our minds the light that flings the shadows.

Mountains - In another psalm of ascent we read that

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever." (Ps 125:2-note)

Although I feel the mountains have some allusion to Jerusalem, one source rightly notes that

there is no certainty about the location of these hills. Anderson thinks they are the mountains on the route from Jerusalem to the psalmist’s home, and Taylor takes the journey to be the reverse of this. Some believe that these are the hills of or near Jerusalem, while others see an allusion to the “high places” where the pagan gods were believed to live. (Ed note: and where idolatry was practiced by many of the Israelites)" (Bratcher, R. G., & Reyburn, W. D. A Translator's Handbook on the Book of Psalms. Page 1051. New York: United Bible Societies)

If by the mountains the psalmist was referring to places of false worship, Jehovah's warning in Jeremiah would apply:

Surely, the hills are a deception, a tumult on the mountains. Surely, in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. (Jer 3:23)

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Lift Up Your Eyes - A woman whose work demanded constant reading began to have difficulty with her eyes, so she consulted a physician. After an examination he said, "Your eyes are just tired; you need to rest them."

"But," she replied, "that is impossible in my type of work."

After a few moments the doctor asked, "Do you have windows at your workplace?"

"Oh, yes," she answered with enthusiasm. "From the front windows I can see the noble peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and from the rear windows I can look out at the glorious Allegheny foothills."

The physician replied, "That is exactly what you need. When your eyes feel tired, go look at your mountains for 10 minutes—20 would be better—and the far look will rest your eyes!"

What is true in the physical realm is true in the spiritual realm. The eyes of the soul are often tired and weary from focusing on our problems and difficulties. The upward look—the far look—will restore our spiritual perspective. At times we feel overwhelmed by life's troubles. If we look to the Lord in His Word and in prayer, however, He will put our problems in perspective and renew our strength. Let's lift up our eyes! (Psalm 121:1). —Henry G. Bosch  (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

From whence shall my help come?: The question does not express doubt, despondency or despair, but is simply asked to introduce the answer which follows. Note that Psalm 121 is often misunderstood especially when read in the KJV.

Keil & Delitzsch in their Commentary on the Old Testament write that

"To render “from which my help cometh” (as Luther does) is inadmissible."

In other words, the KJV renders the verse not an interrogative but as a statement of fact as follows:

"A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

Without going into technical details, suffice it to say that the Hebrew word translated "whence?" or "where?" always conveys the idea of a question. This section should therefore be read as a question:

"From whence cometh my help?"

It is rendered in this manner by most of the modern translations. For example the CSB plainly states

"I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there?"

Which is answered by the declaration

"Not from the hills or the creation, but from the God of creation."
 

HELP
Hebrew: 'Ezer

Help is the Hebrew noun 'ezer (root verb = 'azar) (click) referring to assistance or to the one who provides the assistance ("helper"). 'Ezer (actually the verb form 'azar) is used in the OT to refer to military assistance such as God’s help in battle (1Chr 12:18).

'Ezer (actually the verb 'azar) is used of Jehovah’s personal assistance for those who cannot help themselves (Ps 10:14-note; Ps 72:12-note).

David declares

Jehovah is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. (Ps 28:7-note;cf Ps 86:17-note).

Spurgeon comments: "Heart trust is never disappointed. Faith must come before help, but help will never be long behindhand. Divine help is given us every moment, or we would go back into perdition; when clearer help is needed, we have only to put faith into exercise, and it will be given us." (Bolding added. Treasury of David)

Greek: Boetheia

The Septuagint (LXX) has the Greek word boetheia (click here) which is used only twice in the NT, once in a well known passage in Hebrews 4:16-note "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help (boetheia) in time of need."

The second use of boetheia by Luke gives us a great word picture of "help", describing the storm tossed ship in (Acts 27:17), writing that

after they had hoisted (the lifeboat) up, they used supporting cables (boetheia) in undergirding the ship and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor, and so let themselves be driven along.

This procedure of passing supporting cables under the ship to hold it together and keep the beams from separating is known as frapping, (frap is a nautical term that means to draw tight, to lash down or together). So in the midst of the storm the sailors wrapped cables around the ship’s hull and winched them tight. Thus supported, the ship would be better able to withstand the severe pounding of wind and sea.

Beloved, do you see the word picture inherent in the Biblical use of (boetheia) in Psalm 121? From time to time all of saints encounter unexpected storms and are in need of the Captain of the vessel to batten down the hatches, sending His help that we might be able to endure the stormy trial or temptation. Here in Psalm 121 the psalmist is seeking help...he doesn't give us his name nor the reason he is seeking help (unless Psalm 120 can be taken as the immediate context).

Alexander Maclaren writes that

There will be no reception of the Divine help unless there is a sense of the need of the Divine help. God cannot help me before I am brought to despair of any other help. If we conceit ourselves to be strong we are weak; if we know ourselves to be impotent, Omnipotence (see Omnipotent) pours itself into us. (Biblical Illustrator)

Spurgeon reminds us that

No help comes from anywhere else but from the eternal hills. Let us lift up our eyes, therefore, hopefully expecting help from the hills; it is on the road, it "cometh." The psalmist with the eye of faith could see it coming, so he watched its approach.

Yesterday’s promise secured strength for what we have to do today, but this promise guarantees help when we cannot act alone. The Lord says, “I will help you.” Strength within is supplemented by help from without. God can raise up allies in our warfare if it seems good in His sight. Even if He doesn’t send human assistance, He Himself will be at our side, and this is even better. “Our august Ally” is superior to thousands of human helpers.
 

His help is timely, for He is a very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1-note).

His help is wise, for He knows how to give what is good for us.
His help is effective, though futile is the help of friends.
His help is more than help, for He carries all the burdens and supplies, all the needs.

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb 13:6-note).

Because He has already been our help, we feel confidence in Him for the present and the future.
Our prayer is, “Lord, be my helper” (Psalm 30:10-note).

Our experience is, “The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses” (Romans 8:26-note).

Our expectation is, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1).

My help comes from Jehovah (note) (yhwh) - The Helper is none other than Yahweh, the great "I Am", the unchanging, eternal, self-existent, living God, the “I am that I am,” the covenant-keeping God.

"The meaning of the name yhwh may best be summarized as “present to act (usually, but not only) in salvation.” The revelation of the name is given to Moses, “I am who I am” (Ex 3:14), and later in a self-presentation, “I am the Lord” (Ex 6:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). The name yhwh specifies an immediacy, a presence." (Elwell, W. A: Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House) (See related study on the Name Jehovah)

In NT terms one could just as readily say "My help comes from Jesus" for He proclaimed Himself identical with Jehovah when He said to the Jews

Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I Am. (Jn 8:58)

Comment: John uses 7 “I AM's" to describe Jesus: BREAD (Jn 6:35,41,48, 51), LIGHT (Jn 8:12), DOOR (Jn 10:9), GOOD SHEPHERD (Jn 10:14), RESURRECTION & LIFE (Jn 11:25), WAY (Jn 14:6), VINE (Jn 15:1, 5).

Who made heaven and earth - He is able.  He has all the power needed to protect the psalmist. This assurance is repeated in Ps 124:8-note ( "Our help is in the Name of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth."). Only the Creator can be the Helper of His creation. His attributes such as His omnipresence and omnipotence assure us that He has the ability to follow through on His promise to help us. He Who spoke the heavens is to be "my" personal Helper! Is this not an awesome, humbling thought? The next time you are in a tight spot, recall this verse to your mind. The transcendent (exceeding usual limits) Creator is also the ever-present Watcher of each of His children! Ponder this truth.

Psalm 146 echoes this truth about God declaring "How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God; Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, Who keeps faith forever." (Ps 146:5-note, Ps 146:6-note)

Spurgeon writes that...

He would sooner unmake them than desert his people. He that made heaven and earth could certainly find shelter for us either in heaven or in earth. He cannot, he will not leave us, he will make room for us in heaven when there is no room for us here. What a blessed thing it is to look right away from the creature to the Creator! The creature may fail you; but the Creator is an ever-springing well of all-sufficient grace

Expositor's Bible Commentary notes that

This confession (Yahweh is "the Maker of heaven and earth.") goes beyond the modern controversy of evolution and creationism. The creedal statement, also taken up in the Apostles' Creed, originally signified an apologetic statement on Yahweh's sovereignty over all realms: heaven and earth, thereby excluding any claims by pagan deities. Yahweh Alone is God (cf. Ps 115:4-note, Ps 115:5-note; Ps 115:6-note; Ps 115:7-note; Ps 124:8-note; Ps 134:3-note; Ps 146:6-note; Jer 10:11)! The sole source of "help" comes from Yahweh, Who, as Creator, has unlimited power." (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary OT 7 Volume Set: Books: Zondervan Publishing)

Meditate on the truth that the same awesome, majestic God takes a personal interest in His children, so that you too will be led to proclaim Him in your experience as Jehovah "my help" ("I Am your help")! Then take a moment to worship Him by singing the familiar words of Martin Luther's hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God...
 

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Spurgeon comments

What we need is help, -- help powerful, efficient, constant: we need a very present help in trouble. What a mercy that we have it in our God. Our hope is in Jehovah, for our help comes from him. Help is on the road, and will not fail to reach us in due time, for He Who sends it to us was never known to be too late. Jehovah Who created all things is equal to every emergency; heaven and earth are at the disposal of Him who made them, therefore let us be very joyful in our infinite Helper. He will sooner destroy heaven and earth than permit His people to be destroyed, and the perpetual hills themselves shall bow rather than He shall fail whose ways are everlasting. We are bound to look beyond heaven and earth to Him Who made them both: it is vain to trust the creatures: it is wise to trust the Creator. (Treasury of David Psalm 121:2)

Warren Wiersbe writes that

"This psalm is special to my family. When our children were young and we were all in the car ready to leave on a trip or a vacation, we often read Psalm 121 and then prayed. The children became accustomed to hearing the words, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills--from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (v1,2). God is our Helper. You don't have to go on a vacation or drive on a busy highway to know that. Where does your help come from? The psalmist lifted his eyes to the hills. The most stable, secure thing the Jews knew were the mountains around Jerusalem. Then the psalmist lifted his eyes higher and said, "No, I don't get my help from the hills. I get my help from the heavens. God is my Helper." Whatever your need or task is today, your help will come from the Lord, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. A God big enough to make this world and keep it going is big enough to help you with your problems today." (Wiersbe, W in his devotional: Prayer, Praise and Promises)

"I requite to remember that my, help cometh from the LORD, not only when seemingly there is no outward help from men or otherwise, but also and especially when all seems to go well with me, -- when abundance of friends and help are at hand. For then, surely, I am most in danger of making an arm of flesh my trust, and thus reaping its curse; or else of saying to my soul, "Take thine ease", and finding the destruction which attends such folly." (Alfred Edersheim)

"God’s strongest saints realize their weaknesses, and appeal to Him for strength. One Sunday morning, as Charles H. Spurgeon passed through the door back of the pulpit in the Tabernacle, and saw the great crowd of people, he was overheard saying, “O God, help!” Strong as he was, he realized that he was insufficient for so great a task as preaching the Gospel in power, unless God should be his Helper."  (from Tan, P. L. Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations)

Perhaps you might pause for a moment and sing the following hymn (click link) as your prayer...

Abide with Me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

In the original Hebrew, verse 3 can also be rendered as a prayer. And so it could read be read

"May he not allow your foot to slip. May your keeper not slumber."

The 1899 Douay-Rheims version for example translates this verse as

"May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee."

The English translation of the Septuagint (LXX) has

"Let not thy foot be moved; and let not thy keeper slumber."

The recently released, scholarly NET Bible also has

"May He not allow your foot to slip! May your Protector not sleep!"

So all of these versions would be read as a prayer. Then verse 4 would read like a response, the NET Version reading

"Look! Israel's protector does not sleep or slumber!"

JEHOVAH, GOD, THY GRACIOUS POWER

Jehovah, God, Thy gracious power,
On every hand we see;
Oh, may the blessings of each hour
Lead all our thoughts to Thee.

Thy power is in the ocean deeps,
And reaches to the skies;
Thine eye of mercy never sleeps,
Thy goodness never dies.

From morn till noon, till latest eve,
Thy hand, O God, we see;
And all the blessings we receive,
Proceed alone from Thee.

In all the varying scenes of time,
On Thee our hopes depend;
Through every age, in every clime,
Our Father, and our Friend.
 

He will not allow your foot to slip - The psalmist then describes Jehovah's help, first in negative terms (Psalm 121:3-4) and then in positive terms (Psalm 121:5, 7-8).

Slip (mot) is a Hebrew verb indicating to be moved, removed, to fall. Mot is used of a wavering, wobbling action, response, or condition in various situations:  and occurs as figure of speech referring to great insecurity. It is used figuratively of a foot slipping and in Deuteronomy speaks of failure of God's people, Moses recording

"Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip (mot); for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them." (Dt 32:35)

David echoes this truth exhorting saints to

"Cast your burden (Hebrew = yehab = an interesting Hebrew word which literally means "what is given" lot, burden, what is given as a gift (the implication being that it is a gift given in & by the Providence of God! The Greek word in the (LXX) = merimna from merizo = draw in different directions = word picture of the effect that "cares" can have. Note that the related word "worry" conveys a powerful word picture: English word "worry" is derived from Old High German "wurgen" = to strangle and in British dialect means "choke" or "strangle" - what can "cares" and "worries" do? Draw you in different directions! Strangle you, so to speak!) upon Jehovah (Whose name means "I Am..." I Am able to sustain you in all your cares and worries!), and He will sustain (Hebrew word "kul" verb = to hold, to contain feed, to supply. It indicates clasping or holding in something. Beloved you are in your Helper's grip and He is able to keep you from slipping irrevocably. The (LXX) has the Greek verb diatrepho = support, maintain, sustain continually, to feed or nourish. One use of diatrepho describes to "keep the patient well nourished"! Now "plug" that thought back into the verse and praise Jehovah, the Great Physician!) you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (Amplified adds "made to slip, fall, or fail")." (Psalm 55:22) (Devotional)

"What your God lays upon you, lay upon the Lord.  His wisdom casts it on you; it is your wisdom to cast it on him. He gives you your portion of suffering; accept it with cheerful resignation, and then take it back to him by your assured confidence. He shall sustain thee. Your bread will be given you; your waters will be sure. Abundant nourishment will fit you to bear all your labors and trials. As your days, so shall your strength be. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. He may move like the boughs of a tree in the tempest, but he will never be moved like a tree torn up by the roots. Many wish to destroy the saints, but God has not suffered it, and never will." (Spurgeon, C. H. The Treasury of David)

To reiterate, "never...shaken" is God's promise in the trial, but note that He does not promise the trial won't feel like waves rocking us to and fro but He does promise that we will not slip and fall. Let us cling to His Truth in the midst of the storm so that our souls are firmly anchored.

Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909), former US Senate chaplain:

"Never attempt to bear more than one kind of trouble at once. Some people bear three kinds--all they have had, all they have now, and all they expect to have."

Spurgeon once wrote that

"You may expect that between here and heaven, if you have not met with it yet, you will have enough trouble to destroy you unless the Lord is your Helper."

The psalmist writes

"Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad, Who keeps us in life, and does not allow our feet to slip." (Psalm 66:8-note, Ps 66:9-note)

When the verb ‘slip’ is used with ‘foot’ or ‘feet’, it denotes slipping in a time of trouble. The Lord is the one who is immovable (Ps 30:6-note; Ps 62:2-note; Ps 112:6-note) and he holds his children so that their feet do not slip (Ps 17:5-note).

One of the other psalms of ascent helps understand "their foot shall not slip", the psalmist writing that

Those who trust in Jehovah are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (Ps 125:1-note

Spurgeon writes that

Zion was the image of eternal steadfastness—this hill which, according to the Hebrew, “sits to eternity,” neither bowing down nor moving to and fro. Thus doth the trusting worshiper of Jehovah enjoy a restfulness which is the mirror of tranquility; his hope is sure. As the LORD sitteth as King forever, so do His people sit enthroned in perfect peace when their trust in Him is firm. We are, we have been, we shall be as steadfast as the hill of God. Zion cannot be removed, and does not move; so the people of God can neither be moved by force from without or fickleness from within. (The Treasury of David)

Commenting on Psalm 121:3 (he will not allow your foot to slip) Spurgeon writes that

"Though the paths of life are dangerous and difficult, yet we shall stand fast, for Jehovah will not permit our feet to slide; and if He will not suffer it we shall not suffer it. If our feet will be thus kept we may be sure that our head and heart will be preserved also. In the original the words express a wish or prayer—“May He not suffer thy foot to be moved.”

Promised preservation
should be the subject of perpetual prayer;
and we may pray believingly,
for those who have God for their Keeper
will be safe from all the perils of the way.

Among the hills and ravines of Palestine the literal keeping of the feet is a great mercy; but in the slippery ways of a tried and afflicted life, the boon (timely benefit especially one given in answer to a request) of upholding is of priceless value, for a single false step might cause us a fall fraught with awful danger. To stand erect and pursue the even tenor of our way is a blessing which only God can give, which is worthy of the divine hand, and worthy also of perennial gratitude. Our feet will move in progress, but they will not be moved to their overthrow." (Bolding added. The Treasury of David Psalm 121:3)
 

David echoes this true adding in (Psalm 37:23, 24) that

The steps of a man are established by the LORD and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

Spurgeon comments that

"Disasters and reverses may lay him low; he may, like Job, be stripped of everything; like Joseph, be put in prison; like Jonah, be cast into the deep. He shall not be utterly cast down. He will be brought on his knees, but not on his face; or, if laid prone for a moment he shall be up again ere long. No saint will fall finally or fatally. Sorrow may bring us to the earth, and death may bring us to the grave, but lower we cannot sink, and out of the lowest of all we shall arise to the highest of all. For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. He does not leave his saints to mere delegated agency; He affords personal assistance. Where grace does not keep us from going down, it will save from keeping down. Job had double wealth at last, Joseph reigned over Egypt, Jonah was safely landed. It is not that the saints are strong, or wise, or meritorious, that therefore they rise after every fall, but because God is their Helper and therefore none can prevail against them." (Spurgeon, C. H: The Treasury of David)

The slipping of one's foot is a frequent description of misfortune, for example, Psalm 38:16; 66:9, and would be especially meaningful in the rocky, treacherous terrain of the mountains surrounding Jerusalem, where a single slip of the foot could bring quick slippage and great injury.

He Who keeps you will not slumber (GWT: "Your guardian will not fall asleep") Jehovah your Helper will not sleep lightly or doze and (figuratively) will not be in a torpid, slothful or negligent state. How sure can we be? Look at Ps 121:4.

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His Mind Never Wanders - Has this ever happened to you? I was driving down the highway on a pleasant evening after a full day. I was paying attention to traffic and driving defensively. The next thing I knew, I heard the crunch of tires on gravel. They were mine! I snapped to attention. My mind had wandered and I had strayed to the edge of the road. Either I was daydreaming or I was enjoying the beauty of the evening and forgot what I was doing.

What would happen if God's mind wandered? Consider Colossians 1:17 (note), which says that in Christ "all things consist." This means that in His providence, the Son of God holds all things together and keeps our world in motion. So if His mind wandered, trees would crash to the ground. Water would pour out of the oceans. The planets would go spinning off through space. Prayers would be unheard and unanswered. And those He protects would be left vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. But that could never happen. Why? Because the God who never sleeps is watching over our world--and us--all the time (Psalm 121:3, 4). We are ever at the center of His attention and His care. We are secure because we love and serve a God whose mind never wanders. --D C Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

KEY WORDS
 

Key Words (see notes) in inductive Bible study are words that are repeated and/or of such significance that their removal would significantly alter the intended meaning in a passage. The LORD of course is always a "key word."  "Help" is also clearly a key word in this psalm as are the multiple personal pronouns.

SHAMAR

Another key word in Psalm 121 is the Hebrew verb shamar which occurs six times in eight verses, translated "keep", once as "protect" and once as "guard".

Shamar conveys the picture of one exercising great care to watch over and so to keep, preserve, protect and guard.  The first Old Testament use is instructive for the "LORD God took the man (Adam) and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep (and guard) it." (Ge 2:15)

As Genesis 3 shows, Adam did not guard the garden carefully enough! In another instructive use we see the Jewish men who "were gatekeepers keeping watch at the storehouses of the gates." (Neh 12:25)

The verb "shamar"  a most tender preservation; from it comes The derivative noun "shemurah" is used in (Ps 77:4-note) for the eyelids, the keepers of the eyes. (click related note).

"Shamar" was used by Israel in recounting Israel's Exodus and wilderness journey, the people (answering Joshua's challenge to remain faithful) declaring that

"the LORD our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved (shamar; LXX = dia-phulasso = watch carefully, guard closely) us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed." (Joshua 24:17)

PHULASSO
 

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. The parallels with the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd Who keeps watch over His sheep should not go unnoticed.

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 then ponder the essence of the meaning of this verb 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 are those who hear the word of God, and observe (phulasso - guard, present tense = continually) it. (Luke 11:28)

 In a similar use in the LXX we read

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps (LXX = Phulasso) the law. (Pr 29:18)

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".  Adam was commanded by God to keep (guard) the Garden of Eden (LXX = phulasso in 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 steadfast, trustworthy, ever 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.

Behold is a Hebrew interjection meaning look, now, etc to call attention to the text which follows, calling on the reader to give it special attention. The psalmist is focusing our attention on the following truth.

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)

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. 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)

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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)

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

Jehovah is your (personal) Keeper - Therefore take time 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...

KEEP THOU MY WAY
Keep Thou my way, O Lord, be Thou ever nigh;
Strong is Thy mighty arm, weak and frail am I;
Then, my unchanging Friend, on Thee, my hopes depend,
Till life’s brief day shall end, be Thou ever nigh.

Keep Thou my heart, O Lord, ever close to Thee;
Safe in Thine arms of love, shall my refuge be;
Then, over a tranquil tide, my bark shall safely glide;
I shall be satisfied, ever close to Thee.

Keep Thou my all, O Lord, hide my life in Thine;
O let Thy sacred light over my pathway shine;
Kept by Thy tender care, gladly the cross I’ll bear;
Hear Thou and grant my prayer, hide my life in Thine.

Spurgeon notes that

"Here the preserving One, Who had been spoken of by pronouns in the two previous verses, is distinctly named -- Jehovah is thy keeper. What a mint of meaning lies here: the sentence is a mass of bullion (Ed note: uncoined gold or silver in bars - the precious metals are called bullion, when smelted and not perfectly refined), and when coined and stamped with the king's name it will bear all our expenses between our birthplace on earth and our rest in heaven. Here is a glorious person -- Jehovah, assuming a gracious office and fulfilling it in Person, -- Jehovah is thy keeper, in behalf of a favoured individual -- thy, and a firm assurance of revelation that it is even so at this hour -- Jehovah is thy keeper. Can we appropriate the divine declaration? If so, we may journey onward to Jerusalem and know no fear; yea, we may journey through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil." (Treasury of David Psalm 121:5)

Wiersbe writes that

God is also our Keeper. "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:3,4). This is a dangerous world we live in. Enemies would like to attack and destroy us. But as we walk in the will of God and depend on His power, He is there as our Keeper and Preserver. "The Lord shall preserve you from all evil" (Psalm 121:7). This verse doesn't say we won't have pain. It doesn't say we will never suffer or sorrow. Though we may be hurt, we won't be harmed. "He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore" (Psalm 121:7,8). (Wiersbe, Warren: Prayer, Praise and Promises)

Someone has said that the three keys to real peace are: fret not, faint not, fear not.

1. Fret not--because God loves you (1Jn 4:16).

2. Faint not--because God holds you (Psalm 139:10-Spurgeon's note).

3. Fear not--because God keeps you (Psalm 121:5).

When the way is dim, and I cannot see
Through the mist of His wise design,
How my glad heart yearns and my faith returns
By the touch of His hand on mine. --Pounds
© 1913 Hope Publishing Company

The perfect antidote for fear is trust in God.

The LORD is your shade or "your shadow" Just as everywhere we go our shadow goes with us, so too God "shadows" us at all times and in all circumstances. The parallel truth is echoed by the writer of Hebrews who reminds us that "we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT SHALL MAN DO TO ME?" (Heb 13:6-note) The truth is that Jehovah surrounds His people, and guards them at every point of attack. The foe must be able to pierce the impenetrable and conquer the invincible, before he can touch the feeblest saint who is sheltered by the wings of God. Satan speaking to Jehovah about His servant Job said

"Hast Thou not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land." (Job 1:10)

Shade (tsel) or shadow, refers to a condition resulting when something is interposed between an object and a light source and is frequently used as a highly expressive symbol of protection or refuge especially in the hot, arid middle east. Shade or shadow refers to that which keeps an object safe from harm or danger, even as shade comes between the light source and an object. Joshua and Caleb in seeking to instill confidence in the Israelites to go up and take the land of Canaan, declared

do not rebel against Jehovah and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection (literally = "their shade" = tsel; Amplified = "shadow of protection") has been removed from them, and Jehovah is with us; do not fear them. (Nu 14:9)

Isaiah records a similar great truth about God...

For You have been a defense for the helpless,
A defense for the needy in his distress,
A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat;
For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. (Isaiah 25:4)

Spurgeon comments that on the figurative description, noting that

A shade gives protection from burning heat and glaring light. We cannot bear too much blessing; even divine goodness, which is a right hand dispensation, must be toned down and shaded to suit our infirmity, and this the Lord will do for us. He will bear a shield before us, and guard the right arm with which we fight the foe. That member which has the most of labour shall have the most of protection. When a blazing sun pours down its burning beams upon our heads the Lord Jehovah Himself will interpose to shade us, and that in the most honourable manner, acting as our right hand Attendant, and placing us in comfort and safety. "The Lord at thy right hand shall smite through kings". How different this from the portion of the ungodly ones who have Satan standing at their right hand, and of those of whom Moses said, "their defence has departed from them". God is as near us as our shadow, and we are as safe as angels. (Treasury of David Psalm 121:5)

We see a similar picture of God's perpetual protective presence over His people in Israel's exodus, Moses recording that Jehovah

was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. (Exodus 13:21)

And just as Jehovah had sheltered Israel's "going out" with a pillar of cloud (Shekinah), so too in the future there be a similar covering. The prophet Isaiah records that in the one thousand year (millennial) reign of the Messiah on earth,

"the LORD will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. And there will be a shelter to give shade (shadow = same Hebrew word tsel as here in Psalm 121:5) from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain." (Isaiah 4:5, 6)

This description recalls Ezekiel’s prophecy of the return of the Shekinah to the temple on Mt Zion (Ezek 43:2, 3, 4, 5).

"Day...night" Continuous protection is promised.

"Smite" (strike, hit, beat, slay, kill) parallels with the use of shade as a picture of protection.

"Sun...by day...moon by night"

If you've ever visited Israel, you know that "sunstroke" is constant threat to travelers who are under hydrated and over exposed! Here the psalmist is using figurative language to remind us that Jehovah is our Helper and Protector in all the dangers, afflictions and adversities that we will ever encounter, whether by day or by night.

The reference to the moon may simply lend poetic balance to the verse, but it is likely a reference to the primitive belief that the moon was dangerous and could have adverse effects one's mind. They believed that the rays of the moon had an abnormal effect on the eyes and could cause brain damage. We've all heard the familiar English expression “moonstruck” (mentally unbalanced, romantically sentimental, lost in fantasy) which apparently reflects this strange ancient belief. The etymology (study of the linguistic development of words) of the English word "lunatic" is from the Latin word lunaticus, which is derived from the Latin word luna reflecting the belief that lunacy fluctuated with the phases of the moon. (Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. 10th ed.) Whether the psalmist meant to address such pagan beliefs is uncertain.

In an interesting NT passage Matthew records that as the news about Jesus

"went out into all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them." (Mt 4:24)

The word translated "epileptic" is a verb which literally means to be moonstruck and in Greek usage was equivalent to being afflicted with epilepsy, the symptoms of which were thought to become more aggravated during certain lunar periods.

David Barker has an interesting comment on the psalmist's reference to the "moon" writing that

While the Hebrew pilgrim may well have known from his understanding of God and the world that such a danger does not actually exist (Ed note: that the moon could really cause mental illness), it is easy to understand how popular lore and superstition would invade and dominate in spite of theological understandings to the contrary. The psalm realistically addresses the mind-set of the pilgrim in his perceptions of dangers and fears." Barker goes on to add that "there seems to be more here in reference to the superstitions and popular fears of the people of the day. One wonders how many of God’s people today still pause to pick up a four-leaf clover or feel a twinge of anxiety when a black cat crosses the road ahead of them." (David Barker: "THE LORD WATCHES OVER YOU": A PILGRIMAGE READING OF PSALM 121: Bibliotheca Sacra: Volume 152, issue 606, page 163)

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DIVINE SUNSCREEN - Some people are harmed by the sun's powerful rays. They may be allergic to the sun, or they may have  a disease, like vitiligo (lack of protective pigment and propensity to severe burns) lupus erythematosis.  If these people are exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time, they have a visible and painful reaction. To protect themselves, they wear large-brimmed hats and clothing to cover their arms, legs, and necks. They use the strongest sunscreen possible to protect exposed skin areas.  And they spend the midday hours in the shade.

In a similar way, Christians need spiritual protection from the "harmful rays" of evil world system.  Its ruler Satan bombards us continuously with potentially harmful temptations and pressures that will weaken our testimony and turn us away from the Lord if we yield to them. God Himself provides us with all the protection we need.  He stands between us and the enemy even as His cloud of glory separated Israel from Pharaoh's pursuing army.  Jehovah is our Shield and our Fortress (Ps 144:1-note, Ps 144:2-note).  But we must apply this protection through prayer, reading  and meditating on the Bible, faith and obedience, right thinking, fellowship and accountability with other Christians, and continual dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit and the transforming power of the grace He supplies.  These spiritual disciplines will keep the world from getting through to us. God truly is our Shade, our Shadow and our Keeper.

The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Protection He affords to all
Who make His name their trust.
                            - Tate and Brady

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The IVP Bible Background Commentary has an interesting note:

From all evil - In a similar statement in Psalm 91 the psalmist writes that "you have made the LORD, my refuge, even the Most High (El Elyon), your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent." (Psalm 91:9-note, Ps 91:10-note) God will not let anything happen which does not work “for good to those who love Him” (Ro 8:28-note, Ro 8:29-note), hard as it may be at times to believe this promise when we are in midst of "the fiery furnace" of affliction or trouble.

Spurgeon adds that

The psalmist... assures people who dwell in God that they will be secure. Though faith claims no merit of its own, yet the Lord rewards it wherever he sees it. He who makes God his refuge will find him a refuge; he who dwells in God will find his dwelling protected. We must make the Lord our habitation by choosing him for our trust and rest, and then we shall receive immunity from harm. (Treasury of David Psalm 121:7)

Eliphaz ,in trying to convince Job to repent, spoke of the blessing of penitence, declaring that

from six troubles He will deliver you, even in seven evil will not touch you. (Job 5:19)

Solomon reminds us in the proverb that "no harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble." (Proverb 12:21, cp 1Pe 3:13-note; Ps 91:10-note) The verse is also true when one considers what happens to people after death as well as before.

Matthew Henry adds that

"Piety is a sure protection. If men be sincerely righteous, the righteous God has engaged that no evil shall happen to them. He will, by the power of his grace in them, that principle of justice, keep them from the evil of sin; so that, though they be tempted, yet they shall not be overcome by the temptation, and though they may come into trouble, into many troubles, yet to them those troubles shall have no evil in them, whatever they have to others , for they shall be overruled to work for their good...(the righteous) shall be safe under the protection of Heaven, though hell itself break loose upon them." (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible)

Spurgeon notes that

"God not only keeps His own in all evil times but from all evil influences and operations, yea, from evils themselves. This is a far reaching word of covering: it includes everything and excludes nothing: the wings of Jehovah amply guard His own from evils great and small, temporary and eternal. There is a most delightful double personality in this verse: Jehovah keeps the believer, not by agents, but by Himself; and the person protected is definitely pointed out by the word "thee", -- it is not our estate or name which is shielded, but the proper personal man. To make this even more intensely real and personal another sentence is added, "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:" he shall preserve thy soul, -- or Jehovah will keep thy soul.
 

The preservation of the greater includes that of the less so far as it is essential to the main design: the kernel shall be preserved, and in order thereto the shell shall be preserved also. God is the sole keeper of the soul. Our soul is kept from the dominion of sin, the infection of error, the crush of despondency, the puffing up of pride; kept from the world, the flesh, and the devil; kept for holier and greater things; kept in the love of God; kept unto the eternal kingdom and glory. What can harm a soul that is kept of the Lord?" (Bolding added. Treasury of David Psalm 121:7)

In summary, Jehovah your Helper is your personal Protector. Jesus' encouragement to His twelve disciples before sending them out was

do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mt 10:28. cp Lk 12:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Is 8:12, 13, 51:7, Ac 20:23, 24, 21:13)

You may lose all your earthly possessions like Job but you will never lose your soul for Jehovah is the Keeper of your soul. When Jesus promised His disciples that "not a hair of your head will perish" (Lk 21:18) He was not promising the preservation of their physical lives (In Lk 21:16 He had just clearly stated that "they will put some of you to death"), but was promising that they would suffer no eternal loss because God Himself keeps the soul of all those who belong to Him. Paul affirms the psalmist's thoughts, writing that

The LORD will guard (Click Torrey's topic "protection")

Your going out and your coming in

From this time forth and forever The Divine Helper's protection is promised not only for the ascent (whether that ascent was to the Temple in Jerusalem or elsewhere) but for the entire pilgrimage of one's life.

Jesus Who has

all authority...in heaven and on earth" (that should take care of your home address, beloved) said "lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Mt 28:18,20)

Our personal Protector promises to perpetually preserve our passages from morning until evening, from infancy until old age and from old age throughout the ages to come!

Adoniram Judson said God

has not led me so tenderly thus far to forsake me at the very gate of heaven. (see Adoniram Judson: Missionary to Burma)

The going out and the coming in refer to all of the believer's undertakings and occupations. Perhaps too these words refer specifically to the pilgrims journey to Jerusalem. The watch care of the believer's guardian starts the moment he looks toward the hills of Zion, and it continues into the uncharted future.

This verse serves a figure of speech to encompass "everything you do." God watches over the believer all the time, in every circumstance, and forever. In 1719 Isaac Watts expressed God's ever present help this way...

Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

Spurgeon comments that
 

"When we go out in the morning to labour, and come home at eventide to rest, Jehovah shall keep us. When we go out in youth to begin life, and come in at the end to die, we shall experience the same keeping. Our exits and our entrances are under one protection. Three times have we the phrase, "Jehovah shall keep", as if the sacred Trinity thus sealed the word to make it sure: ought not all our fears to be slain by such a threefold flight of arrows? What anxiety can survive this triple promise? This keeping is eternal; continuing from this time forth, even for evermore.... everlasting security: the final perseverance of the saints is thus ensured, and the glorious immortality of believers is guaranteed. Under the aegis of such a promise we may go on pilgrimage without trembling, and venture into battle without dread.

None are so safe as those whom God keeps;
None so much in danger as the self secure.

To goings out and comings in belong peculiar dangers since every change of position turns a fresh quarter to the foe, and it is for these weak points that an especial security is provided: Jehovah will keep the door when it opens and closes, and this he will perseveringly continue to do so long as there is left a single man that trusteth in Him, as long as a danger survives, and, in fact, as long as time endures. Glory be unto the Keeper of Israel, Who is endeared to us under that title, since our growing sense of weakness makes us feel more deeply than ever our need of being kept. Over the reader we would breathe a benediction, couched in the verse of Keble." (Treasury of David Psalm 121:8)

Bishop Coup describes a beautiful word picture writing that

"the word "shamar" (click note on the Hebrew verb shamar and the corresponding Greek verb phulasso) imports a most tender preservation; from it comes "shemurah" (once in Psalm 77:4-note), signifying the eyelids, because they are the keepers of the eye, as the LORD is called in the verse preceding -- the keeper of Israel". If the lids of the eye open, it is to let the eye see; if they close, it is to let it rest, at least to defend it; all their motion is for the good of the eye. O, what a comfort is here! The Lord calls (Israel) "the apple of his eye" (Ed note: God "found him [referring to Israel] in a desert land and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of His eye." Deut 32:10 He Who keeps Israel as the apple of His eye will likewise keep, guard, protect and watch over all who are His children by faith). O, how well are they kept whom "the keeper of Israel" keepeth! The LORD was a buckler to Abraham, none of his enemies could harm him; for his buckler covered him thoroughly. The LORD was a hedge unto Job; Satan himself confessed he could not get through it, howsoever many a time he assayed it, to have done evil unto Job... But seeing this same promise of preservation was made before (for from the third verse to the end of the Psalm, six sundry times, is the word of keeping or preserving repeated), why is it now made over again? ...for a remedy of our ignorance. Men, if they be in any good estate, are ready to "sacrifice to their own net," or "to cause their mouth to kiss their own hand," as if their own hand had helped them: thus to impute their "deliverance" to their "calf," and therefore often is this resounded, "The LORD," "The LORD." Is thy estate advanced? The LORD hath done it. Hast thou been preserved from desperate dangers? Look up to the LORD, thy help is from on high, and to Him let the praise be returned." (From a Sermon by Bishop Couper, entitled "His Majesties Coming in", 1623.)

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Hills And Streets - Psalm 121:8 - Psalm 121 was a favorite of my father. Scottish people called it "The Traveler's Psalm." Whenever a family member, a guest, or a friend was leaving on a journey, this psalm was read--or more often sung--at family prayers. When my father left the "old country" as a teenager to sail alone to the United States, he was bidden farewell with this psalm.

Over the years, my father enjoyed many hearty days but endured others that were dark and grim. In World War I, he carried this psalm's words with him into battle, and then out of it as he lay in a hospital for almost a year recovering from shrapnel wounds.

In verse 1, the psalmist looked beyond the hills to the God who made them. My father lived in the toughest section of New York City. Although he seldom saw hills, he held to the assurance that the God of the hills was also the God of the dangerous city streets.

In his 87 years, my father experienced many "goings out" and "comings in." And when he went out for the last time, I believe he was singing Psalm 121 as he descended into the valley and traveled home to the other side.

How reassuring that the God of the hills and the streets goes with every believer in Christ! --H W Robinson (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

O God, the Help of All Thy Saints

Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

O Help Us Lord, Each Hour of Need

Help Us, O Jesus, Thou Mighty Defender

Help Us, O Lord!

Jehovah, My God, on Thy Help I Depend

Dear Jesus, Canst Thou Help Me?

God Help Our Country to Be Strong

The Lord Hath Helped Me Hitherto

Purer in Heart, O God Help Me to Be

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's version "My Help" ("My Help - solo")

Psalm 121 instrumental video with Psalm 121 in background

I Lift Up My Eyes

Lift Up My Eyes - (More mellow version)

I To The Hills Will Lift My Eyes - cyberhymnal

Mine Eyes Look Toward the Mountains - cyberhymnal