Psalms 121 Analysis

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

2My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

8the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore

Analysis

Verse 1-2: This song introduces the idea of divine intervention. The word, ascent, means to climb or rise. The song of ascents is in reference to the first two verses of the song. Christians usually petition God for divine intervention. The word "help" is used in the context of a supreme protector. The help is the same deity that created heaven and Earth; This deity is God. 

Verse 3-4: Verse 3 points out how God can protect his children. "He will not let your foot slip" means that he will guide his children's' steps and help order them in the way of his word. Verse 4 is an allusion to the story told in Exodus. The Israelites were delivered from captivity by Moses. God guide Moses through this daring task and enlisted the help of angels. Though the journey was long, God never rested. He will always be there to save a fallen child from God.

Verse 5-6: Verse 5 is a used metaphorically to describe God as shade. God will the "shade" by day and night. Shade is often used to block out or protect something from light. God's protection for his children is undying. Thus, he protects them, no matter the time of day. 

Verse 7-8: The last two verses concludes the idea of how God will always be there to protect his children. God's loves his children dearly, and for this, he is willing to guide them forever.