United Commentaries

Ps.120.1-134.3

These short, appealing songs were sung during pilgrims’ journeys to Jerusalem for the national festivals three times per year (Deut 16:16). The title of these psalms includes the Hebrew word for stairs, which some take to mean “ascending to Jerusalem.” These psalms (sometimes called the Songs of Ascents) take the reader on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to praise God for his goodness to Israel throughout history.

Ps.121.1-8

The leader of the group of pilgrims uses word pictures to assure the group of the Lord’s presence during the journey.

Ps.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

Ps.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).

Ps.121.4

God watches over his own, even and especially when they face many troubles (12:5, 7; 69:29; 91:14; 146:9).