Bible Commentaries

The Guardian Care of the Lord.

A song of degrees, full of believing fervor due to the consciousness of the fellowship of God with His children on earth.

v. 1. I will lift up mine eyes, in anxious, yet trustful desire and longing, unto the hills, regarded as the throne of Jehovah, from whence cometh my help, or, in the form of a question, "From whence will come my help?" a most emphatic declaration of trust in the almighty power of God and in His willingness to help His children.

v. 2. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth, His creative power being a pledge of His ability to rescue those who trust in Him from all dangers. In order to strengthen this trust still more, the psalmist now addresses his own soul.

v. 3. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, to stagger with weakness; He that keepeth thee will not slumber, His watchful care never ceases, is never diminished.

v. 4. Behold, an exclamation expressing and inducing further assurance, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber, in an occasional short nap, nor sleep, in total forgetfulness of His children. His is a sleepless vigilance, as the history of Israel abundantly shows. The assurance of the believers is therefore expressed in a series of positive statements setting forth the fatherly care of the Lord.

v. 5. The Lord is thy Keeper; the Lord is thy Shade upon thy right hand, literally, "over the hand of thy right side," said of a complete overshadowing and protecting.

v. 6. The sun shall not smite thee by day, its withering heat producing illness or even death, nor the moon by night, for in the case of many people, and in a number of countries, the effect of the moon's rays on the uncovered head is similar to that of the direct light of the sun. The injurious influences proceeding from sun and moon are representative of all dangers by day and night, against all of which the ever-watchful eye of God grants protection.

v. 7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil, no matter of what kind it may be and from which side it may threaten; He shall preserve thy soul, the life of the soul being the believer's highest possession.

v. 8. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, the believer's whole life, with all its occupations and undertakings, from this time forth and even forevermore, in time and eternity; for no danger can harm him who rests in the shadow of the eternal love of the heavenly Father, relying on the merciful promises of His Word.