What does Psalm 121:8 mean?
ESV: The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
NIV: the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
NASB: The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time and forever.
CSB: The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
NLT: The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
KJV: The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
NKJV: The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Verse Commentary:
"Going out and coming in" translates a Hebrew expression referring to daily work and daily activities. Going out referred to a man's leaving home in the morning to labor and coming in referred to his returning home after work. Throughout all the activities of the day, the believer could be confident of the Lord's presence and protection.
Psalm 104:23 says, "Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening." Perhaps, an awareness of the Lord's watchful care throughout each workday would revolutionize the way we perform our duties on the job. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul exhorted servants to work in everything with sincerity of heart, reverencing the Lord. Further, he exhorted them to work heartily, knowing the Lord rewards faithful service (see Colossians 3:22–24). The promise that the Lord watches over His people extends from every day to eternity (Psalm 121:8). The Lord's promise to be with us forever keeps us from covetousness and fear (Hebrews 13:5–6).
Verse Context:
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.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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.
Accessed 5/6/2024 3:00:26 AM
© Copyright 2002-2024 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
