Psalms 121

Ps 121 The leader of the group of pilgrims uses word pictures to assure the group of the Lord’s presence during the journey.121:1 The mountains were known for their idolatrous worship (Deut 12:2), and Israel was enticed to the hilltop shrines (Hos 4:13). This verse can be understood as a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer: The gods of the hilltop shrines cannot rescue anyone. Others understand the mountains to be a symbol of the Lord’s strength (Ps 95:4). In that case, the question would be interpreted literally (Where does my help come from?), with the answer given in the next verse

121:4-6 The Creator (121:2) is the guardian of Israel. • God stands beside Israel, supporting and caring for the godly (see 16:7-8). • Both the sun and the moon were regarded as deities in the ancient Near East, but the Creator limits their power. They, too, praise the Lord (148:3).121:4 God watches over his own, even and especially when they face many troubles (12:5, 7; 69:29; 91:14; 146:9).