Psalm 121:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

NIV: The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

NASB: The Lord is your protector; The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

CSB: The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

NLT: The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

KJV: The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

NKJV: The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

Travelers on their way to Jerusalem to observe annual festivals faced difficulties. This could include threats from animals or robbers in the hills (Psalm 121:1–2). Danger also came in the form of the burning rays of a blazing sun. In continuing reassurance (Psalm 121:3–4), these verses note God's provision against these dangers. Like a shepherd, or a caretaker, God "keeps" His people: representing His providence and protection.

God's protection here is symbolized as a shade: something which blocks the punishing rays of the sun (Psalm 91:1). This is a subtle echo of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross: which "blocked" God's wrath on our behalf (Isaiah 53:4–5). In Psalm 57:1 David declared: "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by." Similarly, the Lord hides believers in the "shadow of his wings" until destructive storms pass by. In his first letter to persecuted believers, Peter said they were guarded by God's power through faith (1 Peter 1:5). Jude 1:24 ascribes praise "to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy."

References to the "right hand" in Scripture typically imply strength and authority. The Lord's right hand speaks of His protection and power. In this case, the psalm seems to speak not of God's right hand, but that of the psalmist. In other words, God is said to be guarding the strength of His people. Psalm 110:5 prophesies concerning the Messiah: "The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath."

Psalm 121:3–8 continues the theme of God's protection of His people. It portrays Him as the guardian of Israel who never rests from His care of His people. He would watch over the travelers to Jerusalem both day and night. He would protect them from the blazing heat of the sun and from the cold nighttime temperatures. He would also watch over His people throughout the course of their daily activities.

Songs of ascent were probably used to pass the time as pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem for one of the required feasts. In this example, someone comments about the hills, possibly worried about the presence of robbers. They express faith in God's protection. This is echoed, perhaps by others in the traveling party. They point out that God is never caught unaware, and that His loving guidance of His people will never end.

This psalm is the second identified as a "song of ascent." The songs of ascent are Psalms 120–134. These were sung as the people of Israel journeyed through the hills on their way to Jerusalem to observe the annual festivals. David is credited with authoring Psalms 122, 124, 131, and 133. Solomon is cited as the author of Psalm 127, and the rest are anonymous. The leader of the worshipers began Psalm 121 by voicing verses 1 and 2, and others responded with the verses that follow.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.