Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 3 · Psalms · Psalm 121
PSAL. CXXI.
IN this Psalme is set forth the safe estate of the Faithfull; it being also for this life, unto Psalm. 91.
For the first words▪ I have lifted up mine eyes to the Hills: I cannot but Vers. 1.wonder at them that take it for a confession of an erroneous expectation, or seeking for help to Idolls, whom men used to worship in high places or Hills, applying to this purpose, Jer. 3. 23. In vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, for the next words, From whence cometh my help, make it plain, that such hills are not here meant, but hills where the Tabernacle stood, which was the habitation of the most high. So that in saying, I have lifted up mine eyes to the hils, is the same in effect, with Psal. 123. 1. I have lifted up mine eyes to thee that dwellest in the heavens: and almost every one of these Psalms of Degrees hath something about looking up on high, or prayer, which is a lifting up of the heart, or going up to the house of God, or praising him the most high, or his Graces, according to the title coming from foreign to ascend: And Ainsworth both expoundeth it of lifting up the eyes to mount Ainsworth.Zion, and Moria, where the Sanctuary stood, and bringeth Psal. 87. 1. His foundations are in the holy mountaines: which most aptly agreeth to this, and sheweth the cause of lifting up the eyes to the hills, and justifieth this sense: and the next words answering to these, My help cometh from the Lord, make it yet more plain, that by the Hills he meaneth him that dwelleth on high. Jerom, that abounds too much with Allegories, by Hills, Hieron.understands the high things of the Law and Prophets; but without Ground, and to draw the Reader to unprofitable speculations, from looking at that which is most profitable for our direction.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, he that keepeth Israel neither slumbreth Vers: 3:nor sleepeth: Here the Prophet applyeth to every faithfull person, what he said of himself, Verse 1, 2: There is not one of them, but God keeps a continual watch and ward about him, so that his foot shall not slip, or stumble to make him fall to hurt him: but he shall be as one kept by a strong Guard about him at all times; see the like Ps: 91. 12: and this extends not only to the body, but to our Faith; he that is kept of God shall not be moved so, as to doubt through infidelity at any time, and to fall from his saith so, as to perish for ever, although through the violence of temptation he may sometimes be shaken with fear, yet he shall recover again, and stand against all temptations to the End.
The Sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the Moon by night: Because Vers: 6:as Verse 5. The Lord shall be thy shade: so Psal. 91. 1. But what is meant by Sun and Moon? Jerom saith, that by the Sun in the day is meant prosperity, Hieron.by the Moon in the night adversity, from being corrupted by either of which the faithfull shall be kept. Calvin, by two things, that commonly annoy Calvin.men, parching heat in the Day, and pinching cold in the night, all things that annoy are understood. And this is most probable; the Faithfull who have God for their Keeper, shall not only be kept from falling, but from all other annoiances; or though they feel them as well as others, yet they shall not be hurt hereby. And sometime an Experiment hath been in these particulars, as when the Children of Israel were in the Wilderness, the Lord took not away the pillar of a Cloud in the day, but hereby shadowed them, nor of fire in the night, but hereby kept them warm: and the like is promised to Exod. 13.every congregation of the faithfull, Esa. 4. 4. see Gen. 31. 40. what Iaacob said of this to Laban.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in: This is by Ierom Vers. 8. Hieoon.applyed to our going out o… this world, wherein the faithfull are so preserved, that they come not into the place of torment, where Dives is: and then on the contrary side, thy coming in must be into his heavenly Kingdome, into which thou shalt happily enter, and so be blessed for evermore, as it is here added, From this time forth and for ever.
Others, in all things, that thou goest about, as Deut. 28. 6. 2 Chron. 1. 10. 2 Sam. 3. 25. Act. 1. 21. & Ch. 9. 28.