Psalm 121:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

NIV: The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;

NASB: The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.

CSB: The Lord will protect you from all harm; he will protect your life.

NLT: The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.

KJV: The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

NKJV: The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

This verse acknowledges the Lord's marvelous care of His people. This continues the encouraging response (Psalm 121:3–6) to the psalm's initial questions (Psalm 121:1–2). In this context, the term "evil" is a reference to things like accidents, illness, physical harm, misfortune, or violence. A "keeper" is someone who guards, watches, protects, or guides someone. God's provision (Psalm 97:10) includes these ideas of a watchful guardian.

Scripture does not shy away from the fact that every person encounters trials (John 16:33; Psalm 22:12–18). But trials cannot destroy the believer. Even death comes as a blessing for those who are saved because it escorts us into the Lord's presence (1 Corinthians 15:50–58). The apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers that to be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Also, he did not fear the possibility of execution. He informed the Philippian believers that "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). It is the Lord who preserves our earthly lives and Him who one day calls us home.

When Satan asked for permission to afflict Job, the Lord granted it, knowing those difficulties would prove the genuineness of Job's faith. However, He told Satan: "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand" (Job 1:12). None of us knows what tomorrow may bring (Proverbs 27:1; James 4:13–15), but we do know God holds tomorrow. We also know He will take care of us until He calls us home to heaven.

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.