Bible Commentaries
Psalms 121

Verses 1-8

This song, so full of beauty, marks another stage in the approach of the worshiper in that it sets forth his assurance of the present help of Jehovah. The singer is still far from the appointed place of worship, lifting his eyes toward the distant mountains. He is not far from Jehovah, however. In Jehovah's keeping, even though far from the center of external worship, the pilgrim realizes his safety. He lifts his longing eyes toward the mountains of Zion, where stands the house of his God, and asks:

From whence shall my help come?

Not from those mountains, precious as they are, but from Jehovah, who is with him even in the valley of distance. He then addresses the singer's heart with words of comfort and assurance. Jehovah keeps His children safe, never slumbering or sleeping in His faithful vigil.

The stately sentences which describe the tender care of Jehovah need no exposition. They are the common language of all who know Jehovah. These two psalms, revealing as they do the consciousness of the difficulty of exile and the heart's confidence in Jehovah prepare for the outburst of the next song for approach to the place of worship as the day dawns.