Psalm 121: A Longing for Safety

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This psalm describes a longing to find peace and safety. King David describes the tension of how we await and receive G-d’s help. On one hand, David recognizes that his safety will only be provided by the hand of G-d. On the other hand, he knows that his help will come through the people.  

When King David says “my help will come from the people of G-d, the maker of the sky and the earth” he cements the idea of G-d working through other people. While David’s trust and full faith is in G-d, the actual needed help will be sent to him through people and their actions. All King David has to do is look up to the mountains and wait for the person that was sent by G-d to help him.

After establishing this deep faith, King David turns to himself or to a future reader, perhaps as part of a prophetic vision for messianic times, as other Psalms have done. David speaks to the one who feels unsafe, fearing his comings and goings. Yet David assures that there is no need to worry, your keepers are indeed watching over you day and night, wherever you come, wherever you go - G-d is ensuring you will be watched over, you will be kept safe. Even when evil comes for you, G-d will ensure that your soul will be safe with Him.

שִׁ֗יר לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת אֶשָּׂ֣א עֵ֭ינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִ֑ים מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי׃

A song of ascents.

I will raise my gaze towards the mountains,

Where will my help come from?

עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם ה’ עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃

My help will come from the people of G-d,

The maker of the sky and the earth.

אַל־יִתֵּ֣ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֶ֑ךָ אַל־יָ֝נ֗וּם שֹֽׁמְרֶֽךָ׃

He will not let your steps tilt and fall,

He will not let your guardians sleep. 

הִנֵּ֣ה לֹֽא־יָ֭נוּם וְלֹ֣א יִישָׁ֑ן שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

For we can see that the keeper of Israel will not nap nor sleep.

ה’ שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ ה’ צִ֝לְּךָ֗ עַל־יַ֥ד יְמִינֶֽךָ׃

G-d will be your keeper,

G-d will be as a shadow over your right hand.

יוֹמָ֗ם הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ לֹֽא־יַכֶּ֗כָּה וְיָרֵ֥חַ בַּלָּֽיְלָה׃

In their day, the sun will not strike

And the moon will show at night.

ה’ יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ מִכָּל־רָ֑ע יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃

G-d will keep you safe from any evil,

He will keep your soul safe.

ה’ יִשְׁמָר־צֵאתְךָ֥ וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם׃

G-d will keep you safe when you leave and when you return,

From now until the end of the world.