Tehillim–Psalm 121:

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Some corrections have been made relating to Names and Attributes.

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“Tehillim - Psalm 121”

(Often said during time of uncertainty or unrest).

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

“Behold, He that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep”. Verse 4.

This Tehillim - Psalm has everything we need when troubled times come upon us, and אֱלֹהִים- יָהוָה(the LORD God) blessed be His Sanctified Name, is always there to console us!

In this special study we shall first read this Tehillim, after which we will take a closer look at this Tehillim’s ‘Structure and flow’, followed by a ‘Verse-by-Verse Analysis’:

Tehillim - Psalm 121:1-8. (SEF):

1 “A Song of Ascents.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: from whence shall my help come?

שִׁ֗יר לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת אֶשָּׂ֣א עֵ֭ינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִ֑ים מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי

2 My help cometh from יָהוָה (the LORD), who made heaven and earth.

עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

אַל־יִתֵּ֣ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֶ֑ךָ אַל־יָ֝נ֗וּם שֹׁמְרֶֽךָ

4 Behold, He that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep.

הִנֵּ֣ה לֹֽא־יָ֭נוּם וְלֹ֣א יִישָׁ֑ן שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

5 יָהוָה is thy keeper; יָהוָה is thy shade upon thy right hand.

יָהוָה שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ יָהוָה צִ֝לְּךָ֗ עַל־יַ֥ד יְמִינֶֽךָ

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

יוֹמָ֗ם הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ לֹֽא־יַכֶּ֗כָּה וְיָרֵ֥חַ בַּלָּֽיְלָה

7 יָהוָה (The LORD) shall keep thee from all evil; He shall keep thy soul.

יָהוָה יִשְׁמׇרְךָ֥ מִכׇּל־רָ֑ע יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ

8 יָהוָה shall guard thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth and for ever”.

יָהוָה יִשְׁמׇר־צֵאתְךָ֥ וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ מֵ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם

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Tehillim 121 is a powerful piece from the Tanakh as it provides a reading in regard to themes of protection and Divine reassurance. This Tehillm encapsulates the essence of seeking help and comfort in times of distress, making it a cornerstone in both our religious practices, but especially within our personal faith. In today’s fast-paced and troubled world, where uncertainties abound, understanding the significance of Tehillim 121 can and will provide a sense of solace and assurance.

Let us now take a much closer look on what this Tehillim contains.

Tehillim - Psalm 121 - Structure and flow:

This Psalm 121 divides very neatly into two stanzas, each being four lines long:

Verses 1–2: Covers a ‘personal question and an answer’.

Verses 3–8: Provides ‘Divine protection spelled out in six assurances’.

This shift from the pilgrim’s gaze (“I will lift up mine eyes”) to אֱלֹהִים (God’s) watchful care creates a movement from human need to Divine response.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Verse 1: “I lift my eyes to the hills from where will my help come?”

The verb קָמַתִּי (I lift) is perfect, indicating a completed action of turning one’s gaze. The hills (הֶֽהָרִים) evoke both physical obstacles on the pilgrim road and symbols of human vulnerability.

Verse 2: “My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth.”

עֶזְרִי (my help) is masculine singular, matching the pilgrim’s personal appeal. עֹשֵׂה (Maker) functions as an active participle, stressing אֱלֹהִים (God’s) ongoing creative power.

Verses 3-4: “He will not let your foot slip; He who keepeth over you will not slumber.”

There are two promises in parallel:

The foot (כַּף־רַגְלְךָ) remains steady. The guardian (שׁוֹמֵר) is Hebrew for “guard” or “keeper” does not sleep.

Verses 5-6: “Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

The switch to יִשְׂרָאֵל (Israel) broadens the promise from one pilgrim to the whole community. חֲרוֹן עַיִן (slumber) vs. יְנוּם (sleep) intensifies watchfulness.

Verses 7-8: “The Lord keeps you from all evil; He watches over your life. The Lord watches over your coming and going from now and forevermore.”

The paired verbs לְהַצִּיל and לִשְׁמֹר bracket “life” (נַפְשֶׁךָ), emphasizing total care. בֹּאוֹ and יְצִיאֲךָ cover every direction of life’s journey. עַד־עוֹלָם (forever) underlines the unending nature of this protection.

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In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:

Which part of this Tanach guide or a line within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel about spending more time on your Tanakh study time? I pray that you are you doing well as a faithful Jew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?

I am well aware that the modern world sadly contains far too many deviations as well as problems that tend’s to get in the way. More than that, sadly there are all sorts of enticements, which is able to throw so many off track. Thus, if there are various struggles that may be taking place in your life at this or any time, I am well aware that it can have sad and cruel effects upon your life? Remember this, pray for peace, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life in אֱלֹהִים. This site is also for those who need to return to our wonderful faith, thus work on your faith and pray and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, blessed be He!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יָהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest - Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יָהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יָהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יָהוָה (the LORD your God); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יָהוָה”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom (Peace) of צְבָאוֹת-יָהוָה (the LORD of hosts) be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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