Psalm 121 - A Song of Ascents
Psalm 121 opens with a look toward the hills and a question about the source of help. It answers that help comes from the Creator, who guards by day and night and watches over departure and return.
Key Ideas
- Help from the Creator
- Guarding day and night
- Departure and return
Text
A Song of Ascents. I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?
My help cometh from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, He that keepeth Israel Doth neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper; The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall keep thee from all evil; He shall keep thy soul.
The LORD shall guard thy going out and thy coming in, From this time forth and for ever.
Questions and Answers
Why is Psalm 121 associated with travel?
The closing verse explicitly asks God to guard a person's departure and return. The association with travel follows that language rather than a fixed obligation to recite it.
Who is the guardian in Psalm 121?
The psalm identifies the guardian as God, maker of heaven and earth, whose care is not limited by time.
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