Psalms 121

Psalms 121:1

Title. A Song. Hebrew. shir. See App-65.

of degrees = for, or relating to the degrees. Only here thus. Hebrew. lamma’aloth. See note on Title of 120.

hills = mountains. Add a full stop.

From whence, &c? Punctuate this line as a question. Compare Jeremiah 3:23.

cometh = is to come.

Psalms 121:2

My help. Figure of speech, Anadiplosis, repeated from end of Psa 121:1.

the LORD = Jehovah (App-4.), not the hills.

Which made heaven and earth. The reference is to the burden of Hezekiah’s prayer (2 Kings 19:15; Isaiah 37:16). Idols were only the work of men’s hands (2 Kings 19:18; 2 Chronicles 32:19; Isaiah 37:19). Rab-shakeh had reproached “the living God”. See further references to this in Psalms 124:8; Psalms 134:3; and App-67

Psalms 121:3

not = May He not. Hebrew ’al (like Greek. me). (Subjective, and conditional).

keepeth . . . (Psalms 121:4) keepeth . . . (Psalms 121:5) keeper. Note the Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). Hebrew. shomreka . . . shomer . . . shomreka. Repeated in verses: Psalms 121:7-8.

Psalms 121:4

neither. Hebrew. l’o (like Greek. ou). He will not. Absolute.

Psalms 121:7

shall preserve thee. The repeated promise of Jehovah by Isaiah (2 Kings 19:20-34. Isaiah 37:6, Isaiah 37:7, Isaiah 37:22-25

Psalms 121:8

thy going out, &c. Idiom for life in general. The promise was fulfilled in 2 Chronicles 32:22.