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Meaning, commentary and cross references

Psalms 121:2

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalms 121:2 (ESV)

In other translations

  • KJV · King James Version

    My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

  • NIV · New International Version

    My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

  • WEB · World English Bible

    My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

What does Psalms 121:2 mean?

John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 121:2

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Who helps his people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their troubles and afflictions; he helps them in the performance of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on in their journey; he helps them to all blessings, temporal and spiritual; to all needful supplies of grace here, and glory hereafter; and this help he gives is quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient, and sometimes with, and sometimes without means; and they have great encouragement to expect it from him, since he is able to give it, being the Maker of heaven and earth; for what is…

John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 121:1–8

We must see all our help laid up in God, in his power and goodness, his providence and grace; and from him we must expect it to come: "My help comes from the Lord; the help I desire is what he sends, and from him I expect it in his own way and time. If he do not help, no creature can help; if he do, no creature can hinder, can hurt." 3. We must fetch in help from God, by faith in his promises, and a due regard to all his institutions: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills" (probably he meant the hills on which the temple was built, Mount Moriah, and the holy hill of Zion, where the ark of the covenant, the oracle, and the altars were); "I will have an eye to the special presence of God in…

Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 121:1–2

My help is from Jehovah, who made heaven and earth. l I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. The inspired writer, whoever he was, seems, in the opening of the Psalm, to speak in the person of an unbelieving man. As God prevents his believing people with his blessings, and meets them of his own accord, so they, on their part, immediately east their eyes directly upon him. What then is the meaning of this unsettled looking of the Prophet, who casts his eyes now on this side and now on that, as if faith directed him not to God?

John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

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Context: Psalms 121:1–5 (WEB)

1A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? 2My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. 4Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5The LORD is your keeper. The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Read all of Psalms 121

Cross references

  • Isaiah 41:13

    For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will help you.’

  • Psalms 124:8
  • Hebrews 13:6

    So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

  • Isaiah 40:28–29

    Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

  • Psalms 146:5–6
  • Psalms 46:1
  • Psalms 115:15
  • Jeremiah 20:11

    But the LORD is with me as an awesome mighty one. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they won’t prevail. They will be utterly disappointed because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which will never be forgotten.

Key words

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