Psalm 121:1-2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 121:2

(2) My help cometh . . .—Not as the superstition of the Canaanite said, from the sacred summits themselves, but from their Creator’s Lord. It is noticeable that the style, “maker of heaven and earth,” is a peculiarity of psalms which are certainly post-exile, and show how strongly the contrast with heathenism impressed the creative power of God on the Hebrew mind. When the idolater, pointing to his visible god, taunted the Israelite with having no god, the reply, that He made the heavens, and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 121:1-8

Psalms 121:0 Dr. Blaikie, in his Life of Livingstone, tells that this Psalm and the 135th were read by him when he parted with his family and went out first as a missionary to Africa 'I remember my father and him,' writes his sister, 'talking over the prospects of Christian missions. They said that the time would come when rich and great men would think it an honour to support whole stations of missionaries, instead of spending their money on hounds and horses. On the morning of 17 November,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

Psalms 121:1-8How many timid, anxious hearts has this sweet outpouring of quiet trust braced and lifted to its own serene height of conscious safety! This psalmist is so absorbed in the thought of his Keeper that he barely names his dangers. With happy assurance of protection, he says over and over again the one word which is his amulet against foes and fears. Six times in these few verses does the thought recur that Jehovah is the Keeper of Israel or of the single soul. The quietness that... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 121:1-8

Psalm 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 121:2

121:2 My help [cometh] from the LORD, which made {a} heaven and earth.(a) He accuses man’s ingratitude, which cannot depend on God’s power. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:1-8

This group is differentiated by the title attached to each: “A Song of Degrees” or “A Song of Ascents.” The title seems derived from the going up of the people to Jerusalem at the great festivals which came three times a year. (Compare Deuteronomy 16:16 ; 1 Kings 12:27-28 , etc.); the thought being that they chanted the psalms at different stages in their journey. The pertinency of this application of these psalms is more apparent in some than others. For example, Psalms 121:0 represents the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 121:1

CONTENTS This is a very beautiful Psalm, if read first with reference to Jesus, and then as suited to his people in him. Its general contents are, the full confidence there is in God's Christ, at all times, for his people. Some have recommended it to the traveler; and some have thought it suitable for the soldier and mariner. But every traveler to Zion way profit: ably use it; and so may every true soldier of Jesus Christ while Christ is kept in view. A Song of degrees. Psalms 121:1 In the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 121:2

From the opening of the Psalm under the several views which I have humbly offered, every part that follows will be easy to apprehend, without enlarging the comment. Every believing soul who looks to God in Christ for help, may well answer himself in this second verse, and say, with full assurance of faith, My help cometh from the Lord. And if the church of Jesus may safely assume this language while looking to her Lord; surely Christ in the days of his flesh might well be supposed to ground his... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:1

Canticle. Hebrew, Chaldean, and Syriac add, "of David," (Calmet) who saw in spirit the glory of the temple under Solomon, or the return of the captives, and the felicity of souls in heaven. (Berthier) --- See Psalm xli. --- What is said of the earthly Jerusalem, is beautifully applied to heaven by St. Augustine, &c. The captive Levites might write this psalm. (Calmet) --- Lord. Many prophets assured the Jews of their speedy deliverance, as preachers still set before the people the joys of... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 121:2

Were. Hebrew also, "shall," &c. Yet many of the Levites had officiated in the temple, 1 Esdras iii. 12. --- Courts, or gates, where justice was administered. (Calmet) --- We may better (Haydock) rejoice in the Church, (Worthington) and in the prospect of heaven. (Haydock) --- "At the news, it seemed as if our feet had been, " &c. (Berthier) read more

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