Psalms Chapter 121 |
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Psalms 121
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Psalms 121
A SONG OF DEGREES
In Hebrew "Song of Degrees" is "Shir Ha-Malot". This can also mean "Song of Ascension" as S. R. Hirsch points out. We use these Psalms as means to ascend unto, to reach out towards, the Almighty. They provide us with a means to speak to God, to call unto HIM when we need to. This is a tool God has given us to help us elevate ourselves.
They pull us up when we are down.
[Psalms 121:1] I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES UNTO THE HILLS, FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP.
HILLS in Hebrew "harim" meaning mountains rather than hills.
S.R. Hirsch interprets the first part of this verse as Negatively Rhetorical. If he would look to the powers that be, represented by the high "mountains" none of them could help him.
Hirsch quotes Ezekiel 18:6
[Ezekiel 18:6] AND HATH NOT EATEN UPON THE MOUNTAINS, NEITHER HATH LIFTED UP HIS EYES TO THE IDOLS OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, NEITHER HATH DEFILED HIS NEIGHBOUR'S WIFE, NEITHER HATH COME NEAR TO A MENSTRUOUS WOMAN.
Here MOUNTAINS represent negative forces that are "high up" and that one is liable to turn to instead of turning to God.
So too, today, we have "scientists" and psychologists and all kinds of experts. In some cases these experts can help us but they should never be turned to as a first resort. God can help us and we should not go to the experts unless we understand that God wants us to. The experts should never be in place of the Almighty.
[Psalms 121:2] MY HELP COMETH FROM THE LORD, WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH.
God will help us. HE can help us.
[Psalms 121:3] HE WILL NOT SUFFER THY FOOT TO BE MOVED: HE THAT KEEPETH THEE WILL NOT SLUMBER.
God does not sleep. HE knows everything. HE cannot be deceived.
[Psalms 121:4] BEHOLD, HE THAT KEEPETH ISRAEL SHALL NEITHER SLUMBER NOR SLEEP.
We should realize that the God we turn to, the Creator of heaven and earth, is the God of Israel.
[Psalms 121:5] THE LORD IS THY KEEPER: THE LORD IS THY SHADE UPON THY RIGHT HAND.
THY SHADE. Hebrew "tsilca" also translatable as meaning "shadow". The Midrash says that God will be like a shadow for you. How you act towards others God will act towards you like a shadow that reflects the movements of the body.
[Psalms 121:6] THE SUN SHALL NOT SMITE THEE BY DAY, NOR THE MOON BY NIGHT.
The powers that be will not harm you.
The sun can also represent the Christian Europeans and the moon represents Islam. Our enemies will not have power over us if we cleave to the Almighty.
[Psalms 121:7] THE LORD SHALL PRESERVE THEE FROM ALL EVIL: HE SHALL PRESERVE THY SOUL.
THY SOUL. In Hebrew "nafsheca". In Hebrew "nefesh" translated as "soul" means life, mind, thinking. God will keep us sane and healthy. HE will not let is be polluted by outside forces.
[Psalms 121:8] THE LORD SHALL PRESERVE THY GOING OUT AND THY COMING IN FROM THIS TIME FORTH, AND EVEN FOR EVERMORE.
God will help you and watch over you. S.R. Hirsch emphasizes that God watching over us includes not only keeping us physically safe but also morally and psychically-spiritually as well that we not be infected by outside forces.
Psalms Chapter 121 |
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