The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THE preceding psalm is one of complaint; the present, one of comfort and consolation. The pilgrim lifts up his eyes to the hills, and is satisfied that help is coming to him. He then proceeds to cheer himself with assurances of God's sleepless care and protection. Metrically, the psalm falls into four stanzas of four lines each.

More for Psalms 121:1-8

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Psalms 121:1-8Psalms 121:1-8 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWe must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes. Shall I depend upon the strength of the hills? upon princes and great men? No; my confidence is in God only. Or, we must lift up our eyes above the hil…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1Psalms 121:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryI will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. The "holy hills," that stand round about Jerusalem, are intended (Psalms 87:1; Psalms 125:2). There God had "promised his blessing, even life forevermore" (Psalms 133:3). From wh…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1-8Psalms 121:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod our Guide: a New Year's psalm. In whatever special circumstances, or for whatever particular occasion, this psalm may have been written, it is certain that it is admirably suited to suggest New Year's thoughts to ou…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1-8Psalms 121:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryKept from all evil. This is what the writer of this precious psalm looks for from God (see the first two verses), and this is what the psalm promises, and that with the utmost particularity. There shall not be even a sl…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1-8Psalms 121:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Source of help. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills," etc. I. A STRONG, DEEP SENSE OF DEPENDENCE ON GOD IMPLANTED IN US. II. WE MUST LIFT OURSELVES UP IN THE WHOLE POWER OF OUR BEING TO REALIZE GOD'S NEARNESS T…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 121:1-8We must not rely upon men and means, instruments and second causes. Shall I depend upon the strength of the hills? upon princes and great men? No; my confidence is in God only. Or, we must lift up our eyes above the hil…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. The "holy hills," that stand round about Jerusalem, are intended (Psalms 87:1; Psalms 125:2). There God had "promised his blessing, even life forevermore" (Psalms 133:3). From wh…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1-8The Source of help. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills," etc. I. A STRONG, DEEP SENSE OF DEPENDENCE ON GOD IMPLANTED IN US. II. WE MUST LIFT OURSELVES UP IN THE WHOLE POWER OF OUR BEING TO REALIZE GOD'S NEARNESS T…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1-8God our Guide: a New Year's psalm. In whatever special circumstances, or for whatever particular occasion, this psalm may have been written, it is certain that it is admirably suited to suggest New Year's thoughts to ou…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:1-8Kept from all evil. This is what the writer of this precious psalm looks for from God (see the first two verses), and this is what the psalm promises, and that with the utmost particularity. There shall not be even a sl…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:2My help cometh from the Lord; literally, my help is from the Lord. He alone has both the power and the will to assist me. Which made heaven and earth; i.e. "which is omnipotent."Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. The psalmist addresses himself with consolatory assurances. God will not allow any evil to approach him, so as to do him hurt. He that keepeth thee will not slumber. God does not…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 121:4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The assurance rises from the particular to the general. It is not one Israelite alone over whom God will watch unceasingly, but the whole people of Israel.Joseph S. Exell and contributors