This is known as a superscription and song of the asents is present for psalms 1204. As jews made pilgrimages to jerusalem, these are the songs sung while traveling the roads slowly leading up to jerusalem, culminating in their arrival at the temple. Psalms is the longest book of the bible see what the longest book actually is. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. Every human emotion is covered in these hymns of aspiration to god. After personally celebrating yahwehs guardianship in verses 12, the psalmist turns to give assurance to others in verses 38. Psalms 121 commentary john gills exposition on the whole bible. He will be our keeper, our shade upon our right hand psalms 121. As we grow in god, we may see a confluence of our dreams and desires, our hopes, gods providence, and gods direction. The prayers of david, son of yishai, are ended kalu. Perhaps some internal connexion might be traced between all the fifteen psalms of degrees. As a song sung by travelers, this is particularly relevant for the trust placed in god through the journey. Although king david did not write all of the psalms, he is its most prolific author with eighty of them credited to him.
Psalms 121 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of. At the very beginning of the bible, in genesis 12, abraham, this father of faith figure, is called out from the land where his family had. Nothing is known, or can be known, of the author or of the occasion on which it was composed. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. Some call this the soldiers psalm, and think it was written by david in the midst of. Some call this the soldiers psalm, and think it was penned in the camp, when david was hazarding his life in the high places of the field, and thus. Were it not placed among the pilgrim psalms we should regard it is a martial hymn, fitted for the evensong of one who slept upon the tented field. Study the bible online using commentary on psalms 121 and more. Study psalm 121 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The following authors and the psalms attributed to them are listed below. Not from the evil of affliction, though from that as a penal evil. Aug 22, 2016 a new perspective on an old question psalm 121.
Read psalms 121 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Other writers include moses, heman the ezrahite, ethan the ezrahite, solomon, asaph, and the sons of korah. The talmud states that rabbi meir would say, all the praises stated in the book of psalms were recited by david, as it is stated. Oct 12, 2018 psalms is the longest book of the bible see what the longest book actually is. Trusting in gods providential care psalm 121 my help comes from the lord. The last and highest degree of this song is attained in ps 121. The book of psalms is a book in both the hebrew and christian bibles consisting of 150 poems originally written to be chanted or sung and accompanied by musical instruments.
May the road rise up to meet you a sermon on psalm 121. I will sing praises unto my god while i have any being. Rosenmuller regarding it as a psalm to be sung on the return to. Psalm 121 is the 121st psalm of the book of psalms.
A pilgrimage reading of psalm 121 167 dialogue within the pilgrims inner self, or an antiphonal song between pilgrims, or between a pilgrim and someone giving blessing,19 there is clearly a shift from the first person to the third person at verse 3. Psalms that explore gods protection for us when we are in trouble. As such it has brought comfort, encouragement, and blessing to gods people throughout the ages. What the psalmist really means, though in figurative language, is that nothing. Although there are various ideas on the meaning of t. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Some call this the soldiers psalm, and think it was penned in the camp, when david was hazarding his life. The inspired writer, whoever he was, seems, in the opening of the psalm, to speak in the person of an unbelieving man. Psalm 121 trusting in gods providential care ray fowler.
The beginning in the english, in the king james version, is i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from. While the poetic books of job, ecclesiastes, and song of solomon read as whole pieces, psalms is a collection of 150 small units in one booksomewhat like todays hymnals. Probable occasion when each psalm was composed contains the psalm, the scripture it was written after, the occasion on which it was composed, and the year. A prayer and 5 truths from psalm 121 debbie mcdaniel christian blog and commentary on crosswalk. The last and highest degree of this song is attained in psalms 121. Yes, however, i think the intention of the question is how many psalms did solomon write. Israeli hasidic singersongwriter yosef karduner composed a popular hebrew version of psalm 121, shir lamaalot 2000, which has been covered by many israeli artists and is a staple amongst synagogue youth groups in israel and canada. Our adult sunday school class started considering the book of psalms in january of 2015. Now this psalm 121 being one of the songs of degrees, was probably composed to. God will protect his church and his saints always, even to the end of the world. Many collections preceded this final compilation of the psalms. The hymnal of israel, book v psalms 107150 previous page next page psalm 121 bible commentary on the book of psalms, chapter 121, by. Some scholars suggest that pilgrims sang this psalm en route to jerusalem and its temple. In fact, david only wrote about half of the psalms73 out of all 150, to be precise though the latin vulgate and septuagint credit a few more to him.
Psalm 121 is a treasure of promise for the suffering believer, whose help comes from the lord verse 2. To see what other bible studies we have available, go to bible devotions. In fact, david only wrote about half of the psalms73 out of all 150, to be precise though the latin. Im not sure but i believe this beautiful psalm was written by david when he was fleeing from king saul into the wilderness of ein gedi. Psalms 121 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this versebyverse commentary contain gems of information found nowhere outside the ancient jewish writings.
Seventythree of the 150 bear his name, and tradition states that the unattributed ones are also from him talmud, berakhot 9b. Jan 27, 2012 psalm 121 is a treasure of promise for the suffering believer, whose help comes from the lord verse 2. Psalms are the inspired responses of human hearts to gods revelation of himself in law, history, and prophecy. His gracious power will overshadow us at every step we take. The book of psalms is estimated to have been written between 1440 bc and 586 bc. Were it not placed among the pilgrim psalms we should regard it as a martial hymn, fitted for the evensong of one who slept upon the tented field. In fact, only about half of the psalms are associated with him73 out of all 150, to be precise though the latin vulgate and septuagint credit a. Those who wrote the book of psalms created songs that run the gamut of human emotion from cries for help while suffering in a severe trial to exalting gods name and praising him for his many wonderful works. Psalm 121 bible commentary john gills exposition of the bible. And we continued on in that series for about six months ending at psalm 20 at which point we turned our attention to the book of ecclesiastes. But as i read through the psalms, i saw that many of them are attributed to.
Listed in the area where one would typically find the author of the psalm we see. These were the chief dangers of travelers, whether pilgrims or others. World wide study bible psalms 121 christian classics. I will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the lord, the lord which made heaven and earth. Saints of all ages have appropriated this collection of prayers and praises in their public worship and private meditations. Probable timeline of when each psalm was written study.
Before you read the notes on psalm 121, consider performing a simple inductive study on this great psalm, so that you might experience the joy of. This is the second of the series of psalms which are titled a song of ascents. Psalms chapter 146 kjv king james version 1 praise ye the lord. I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence my help shall come. David guzik commentary on psalm 121, which is another song of ascents, declaring. I was always under the impression that king david was the author of the book of psalms tehillim. Open with a short prayer, inviting god to teach us. My help cometh from the lord, which made heaven and earth. Malcolm cox, evangelist, author, musician and bible teacher. The moon here really strikes and affects the sight, when you sleep exposed to. Study the bible online using commentary on psalm 121.
In fact many families read this psalm out loud together before going on a trip. Psalms 121 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Answered feb 11, 2019 author has 330 answers and 169. Psalm 121 the lord is your keeper introduction psalms 1204 are each labeled as a song of ascent. The story of psalm 121 is in the note on psalm 120. It describes a liturgy that took place when pilgrims would depart from their villages to travel up to jerusalem for the annual feasts of passover, pentecost, and tabernacles. The psalms are meant to be sung and prayed, but so often we just read through them on our own for words of encouragement. The book of psalms has several different authors and the content was written over an extended period of time. The book of psalms is a record of petitions or laments, thanksgiving, and praise to god by his people. For each psalm, it is stated who the author is, if known. Psalm 121 the faithfulness of god inspirational prayers. But davids help didnt really come from the hills, of course.
Structure the book of psalms is arranged in five books. Psalm 121 is the second psalm in the psalms of ascent. Devout jews recite portions of this psalm when they leave or enter their homes. You can learn more from a book if you stop and ask it questions than if. Grotius is of opinion it was written by david, at the time of the battle with. The spirit, who is their preserver and comforter, shall abide with them for ever. Psalm 121 is a psalm about trusting in gods providential care. Psalm 121 is, in a way, a statement of simple faith. In fact, psalms includes more authors than any other book of the bible.
In contrast to popular thinking, david did not write all of the psalms in the book of psalms. Why praying the psalms is so enriching and one way to do it. It speaks of gods help, protection, and vigilant watchcare. Before you read the notes on psalm 121, consider performing a simple inductive study on this great psalm, so that you might experience the joy of personal discovery of its rich treasures.
The book of psalms is the longest book in the bible and takes the form of poetry that has been widely used as prayers and songs. If you want to know how to pray the psalms and what it looks like to pray the psalms daily, here is one process for doing so that will enrich your prayer life greatly. Psalm 121 tlb shall i look to the mountain gods for. It is a part of the bible worthy to be read, studied and sung again and again. Hassell bullock, encountering the book of psalms, p. The book of psalms is the longest book in the bible and takes the form. Author this psalm is anonymous humanly speaking but we can be. At the very beginning of the bible, in genesis 12, abraham, this father of faith figure, is called out from the land where his family had lived for years and hes invited to follow god into the unknown. Psalms chapter 121 kjv king james version this psalm has been my support in times of need when i am fasting, asking god for deliverance, guidance and protection from fears and work of the enemy.
It is a soldiers song as well as a travellers hymn. Who does the author believe that some of the psalms, not attributed to a specific penman, were written by. As god prevents his believing people with his blessings, and meets them of his own accord, so they, on. My help will come from the lord,the creator of heaven and earth. Perhaps some internal connexion might be traced between all. All throughout the hebrew scriptures, the life of faith is painted as a journey. Feb 10, 2019 listed in the area where one would typically find the author of the psalm we see. I look up to the hills,but where will my help really come from. According to tradition, king david gave us the book of psalms. The beginning in the english, in the king james version, is i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my. God as rock, fortress, shield, buckler, protector, shadow, who protects us under his wings.
If you travelled from home to jerusalem, you would go through dangerous places. My help will come from the lord,who made heaven and earth. Thomas benton, in annotations on the book of job and the psalms, 1732. Our message series is called stepping stones to gods heart, and between new years and easter we are looking at the fifteen psalms 1204 known as the psalms of ascent. Dec 21, 2016 psalms is a book, so technically, solomon wrote a fraction of a book of psalms. In other words, this book will help you achieve both halves of the interpretive task. Psalms is a book, so technically, solomon wrote a fraction of a book of psalms. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Dewette and rosenmuller suppose that it was composed in the exile. Some call this the soldiers psalm, and think it was penned in the camp, when david was hazarding his life in the high places of the field, and thus trusted god to cover his head in the day of battle. At that time psalms appears also to have been used as a title for the entire section of the hebrew ot canon more commonly known as the writings see lk 24. In fact, the word psalm comes from the greek word psalmoi, meaning songs sung to a harp. Study psalm 121 using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand. There is an ascent in the psalm itself which rises to the greatest elevation of restful confidence.