v. 1

Hebrew	Verse	English
שִׁ֗יר לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת	1a	Song of the Ascents
אֶשָּׂ֣א עֵ֭ינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִ֑ים	1b	I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי׃	1c	Where will my help come from?

Macula

שִׁ֗יר לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת אֶשָּׂ֣א עֵ֭ינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִ֑ים מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 1]
  Fragment
    Nominal
      noun: שִׁיר song
      Adjectival
        PrepositionalPhrase
          Preposition
            preposition: לַ belonging to >> of
          Object
            noun: מַּעֲלוֹת ascents
            article: הַ <status="elided"> the
  Fragment
    Clause
      Predicate
        verb: אֶשָּׂא I lift
        Object
          ConstructChain <gloss="my eyes">
            noun: עֵינ eyes
            suffix-pronoun: ַי me
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: אֶל toward
            Object
              Nominal
                noun: הָרִים mountains
                article: הֶ the
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject 
        ConstructChain <gloss="my help">
          noun: עֶזְר help
          suffix-pronoun: ִי me
      Predicate
        verb: יָבֹא will come
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: מֵ from
            Object
              particle: אַיִן where

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 1]
  Fragment
    Nominal
      noun: שִׁיר song
      Adjectival
        PrepositionalPhrase
          Preposition
            preposition: לַ belonging to >> of
          Object
            noun: מַּעֲלוֹת ascents
            article: הַ <status="elided"> the
  Fragment
    Clause
      Predicate
        verb: אֶשָּׂא I lift
        Object
          ConstructChain <gloss="my eyes">
            noun: עֵינ eyes
            suffix-pronoun: ַי me
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: אֶל toward
            Object
              Nominal
                noun: הָרִים mountains
                article: הֶ the
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject 
        ConstructChain <gloss="my help">
          noun: עֶזְר help
          suffix-pronoun: ִי me
      Predicate
        verb: יָבֹא will come
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: מֵ from
            Object
              particle: אַיִן where

Copy to display elsewhere

 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-1-None }}

Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 1

The word מֵאַיִן is an interrogative: "from where?" (see e.g., Gen 29:4; 42:7; Num 11:13; etc.). Most translations understand מֵאַיִן in this psalm as introducing a direct question: "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?" (ESV). The grammar by Joüon-Muraoka, however, claims that מֵאַיִן marks an indirect question here, with a verb being elided: "I lift my eyes up to the hills [in order to see] where my help will come from" (JM §161g; cf. Rabbi Sforno: לתור מאין יבא עזרי; for an example of מֵאַיִן introducing an indirect question, see Josh 2:4). Others interpret מֵאַיִן as though it were a relative particle, e.g., Zenger: "I lift my eyes to the mountains, from where my help comes" (2011, 315; cf. KJV). But there is no good reason to adopt these relatively complicated interpretations of מֵאַיִן when the direct-question interpretation makes good sense (so Baethgen 1904, 375; cf. LXX, Jerome iuxta Hebr.). For similar liturgical questions and answers in the Psalter, see e.g., Pss 4:7; 15:1ff; 24:8–10.

Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 1

In the world of the Old Testament, mountains (הָרִים), as the meeting places between heaven and earth, were associated with divine beings. YHWH revealed himself to Abraham on Mount Moriah (Gen 22) and to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 3; 19ff), and he chose Mount Zion to be his dwelling place, "his holy mountain" (Ps 3:5; cf. Pss 2:6; 87:1). Other gods were also worshipped on mountains (cf. Deut 12:2; Isa 65:7; Jer 3:6; Ezek 18:6, 11). By looking up to "the mountains" and asking, "Where does my help come from?" the psalmist is effectively asking, "Who among the divine beings will help me?" (cf. the similar liturgical questions in Ps 4:7). The answer is clear in the next verse: "My help comes from YHWH, the one who make heaven and earth" (cf. Ps 89:6–15, where YHWH's superiority to all other divine beings is based on the fact that he alone created the universe).

Note for v. 1

The noun help (עֵזֶר) describes an "action by which humans or deities provide assistance or support to (other) humans (in both military and non-military contexts) in order to make their life or work or task easier" (SDBH). In the context of a pilgrimage song (v. 1: "a song of the ascents"), where Israelites are traveling on foot to Jerusalem, "help" might refer specifically to protection on the journey (cf. v. 3: "he will not let your foot slip;" v. 6: "the sun will not strike you during the day").

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 1

"Lifting one's eyes" (נשׂא עינים) is a Hebrew idiom for "looking up," as preliminary to seeing. E.g., "He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up (וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו), he saw (וַיַּרְא) camels approaching" (Gen 24:63, NLT). In some contexts, however, "lifting one's eyes >> looking up" describes an "action by which humans turn to a deity or place with the confidence that they will find help and support there" (SDBH). For example, the prophet Ezekiel contrasts a righteous person who "does not eat at the mountain shrines (אֶל הֶהָרִים לֹא אָכָל) or look to (וְעֵינָיו לֹא נָשָׂא) the idols of Israel" (18:6) and a wicked person who "eats at the mountain shrines (אֶל הֶהָרִים אָכַל)" (18:11) and "looks to (נָשָׂא עֵינָיו) the idols" (18:12) (NIV; cf. Ezek 18:15; 23:27; 33:25; Ps 123:1). "Looking to idols" in this context (lit.: "lifting up his eyes to idols") means placing confidence in them and looking to them for help. Similarly, in Psalm 121, the psalmist "looks up" (אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי) "to the mountains" (אֶל הֶהָרִים, cf. Ezek 18:6, 12) for divine help.

Verbal Notes

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

Textual Notes

No Textual notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 1

Note for v. 1

Associate with v-1-None

The superscription of Psalm 121 differs from the other Psalms of Ascents (Pss 120–134). Whereas the other psalms in the series have שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת, Psalm 121 has שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת (a lamed prepositional phrase [לַ] instead of a construct chain [הַ]). Perhaps the reason for the difference is poetic alliteration. Note the similarity in sound between לַמַּעֲלוֹת in the superscription and לַמִּלְחָמָה, the last word of the previous psalm (Ps 120). Also note לַמּוֹט in Psalm 121:3 and the similar sounding phrase at the end of Psalm 121: מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם (v. 8). Biblical Hebrew authors often chose unique words or phrases for alliteration (see the various studies in Rendsburg 2019).
The Great Psalms Scroll (11Q5), which represents a revised and expanded version of the proto-Masoretic Psalter (see Longacre 2022, 85–111), has שיר המעלות for the superscription of Psalm 121, instead of שיר למעלות (so MT). Several of the medieval Hebrew manuscripts collated by Kennicott also read שיר המעלות (Kennicott 1776, 421). The Septuagint (ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν), Jerome (canticum graduum), and the Targum (שירא דאתאמר על מסיקיין דתהומא) translate the superscription of Psalm 121 the same way they translate the other superscriptions in Pss 120–134, which suggests either that they read שיר המעלות or that they interpreted שיר למעלות and שיר המעלות as synonymous expressions. In his commentary on Psalm 120 (Greek: Psalm 119), Theodoret reports that "Symmachus and Aquila have 'for the Ascents (εἰς τὰς ἀναβάσεις)'" (Theodoret, trans. Hill, 2001, 279). It seems likely that Theodoret accidentally got the psalm number wrong and that the reading he reports for Symmachus and Aquila actually applies to Psalm 121 (Greek: Psalm 120). Thus, Symmachus and Aquila appear to support the reading of the Masoretic Text. In any case, the Masoretic reading (שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת) is likely earlier than the alternative reading. The reading שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת (see 11Q5 et al.) is a harmonization to the surrounding Psalms.

Add Exegetical Note

Alternative

(Alternative); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
Fragment <status="alternative">
    ConstructChain <gloss="the song of the ascents">
      noun: שִׁיר song
      Nominal
        noun: מַּעֲלוֹת ascents
        article: הַ <status="alternative emendation"> the

Diagram Code

 Fragment <status="alternative">
    ConstructChain <gloss="the song of the ascents">
      noun: שִׁיר song
      Nominal
        noun: מַּעֲלוֹת ascents
        article: הַ <status="alternative emendation"> the

Copy to display elsewhere

 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-1-Alternative }}

Grammar Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 1

Note for v. 1

Associate with v-1-Alternative

The word מֵאַיִן is an interrogative: "from where?" (see e.g., Gen 29:4; 42:7; Num 11:13; etc.). Most translations understand מֵאַיִן in this psalm as introducing a direct question: "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?" (ESV). The grammar by Joüon-Muraoka, however, claims that מֵאַיִן marks an indirect question here, with a verb being elided: "I lift my eyes up to the hills [in order to see] where my help will come from" (JM §161g; cf. Rabbi Sforno: לתור מאין יבא עזרי; for an example of מֵאַיִן introducing an indirect question, see Josh 2:4). Others interpret מֵאַיִן as though it were a relative particle, e.g., Zenger: "I lift my eyes to the mountains, from where my help comes" (2011, 315; cf. KJV). But there is no good reason to adopt these relatively complicated interpretations of מֵאַיִן when the direct-question interpretation makes good sense (so Baethgen 1904, 375; cf. LXX, Jerome iuxta Hebr.). For similar liturgical questions and answers in the Psalter, see e.g., Pss 4:7; 15:1ff; 24:8–10.

Lexical Notes

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 1

Note for v. 1

Associate with v-1-Alternative

In the world of the Old Testament, mountains (הָרִים), as the meeting places between heaven and earth, were associated with divine beings. YHWH revealed himself to Abraham on Mount Moriah (Gen 22) and to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 3; 19ff), and he chose Mount Zion to be his dwelling place, "his holy mountain" (Ps 3:5; cf. Pss 2:6; 87:1). Other gods were also worshipped on mountains (cf. Deut 12:2; Isa 65:7; Jer 3:6; Ezek 18:6, 11). By looking up to "the mountains" and asking, "Where does my help come from?" the psalmist is effectively asking, "Who among the divine beings will help me?" (cf. the similar liturgical questions in Ps 4:7). The answer is clear in the next verse: "My help comes from YHWH, the one who make heaven and earth" (cf. Ps 89:6–15, where YHWH's superiority to all other divine beings is based on the fact that he alone created the universe).

Note for v. 1

Associate with v-1-Alternative

The noun help (עֵזֶר) describes an "action by which humans or deities provide assistance or support to (other) humans (in both military and non-military contexts) in order to make their life or work or task easier" (SDBH). In the context of a pilgrimage song (v. 1: "a song of the ascents"), where Israelites are traveling on foot to Jerusalem, "help" might refer specifically to protection on the journey (cf. v. 3: "he will not let your foot slip;" v. 6: "the sun will not strike you during the day").

Phrase-Level

No Phrasal notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 1

Note for v. 1

Associate with v-1-Alternative

"Lifting one's eyes" (נשׂא עינים) is a Hebrew idiom for "looking up," as preliminary to seeing. E.g., "He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up (וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו), he saw (וַיַּרְא) camels approaching" (Gen 24:63, NLT). In some contexts, however, "lifting one's eyes >> looking up" describes an "action by which humans turn to a deity or place with the confidence that they will find help and support there" (SDBH). For example, the prophet Ezekiel contrasts a righteous person who "does not eat at the mountain shrines (אֶל הֶהָרִים לֹא אָכָל) or look to (וְעֵינָיו לֹא נָשָׂא) the idols of Israel" (18:6) and a wicked person who "eats at the mountain shrines (אֶל הֶהָרִים אָכַל)" (18:11) and "looks to (נָשָׂא עֵינָיו) the idols" (18:12) (NIV; cf. Ezek 18:15; 23:27; 33:25; Ps 123:1). "Looking to idols" in this context (lit.: "lifting up his eyes to idols") means placing confidence in them and looking to them for help. Similarly, in Psalm 121, the psalmist "looks up" (אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי) "to the mountains" (אֶל הֶהָרִים, cf. Ezek 18:6, 12) for divine help.

Note for v. 1

Associate with v-1-Alternative

See The Voice(s) in Psalm 121.

Verbal Notes

No Verbal notes to display for this diagram.

Textual Notes

Textual Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 1

The superscription of Psalm 121 differs from the other Psalms of Ascents (Pss 120–134). Whereas the other psalms in the series have שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת, Psalm 121 has שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת (a lamed prepositional phrase [לַ] instead of a construct chain [הַ]). Perhaps the reason for the difference is poetic alliteration. Note the similarity in sound between לַמַּעֲלוֹת in the superscription and לַמִּלְחָמָה, the last word of the previous psalm (Ps 120). Also note לַמּוֹט in Psalm 121:3 and the similar sounding phrase at the end of Psalm 121: מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם (v. 8). Biblical Hebrew authors often chose unique words or phrases for alliteration (see the various studies in Rendsburg 2019).
The Great Psalms Scroll (11Q5), which represents a revised and expanded version of the proto-Masoretic Psalter (see Longacre 2022, 85–111), has שיר המעלות for the superscription of Psalm 121, instead of שיר למעלות (so MT). Several of the medieval Hebrew manuscripts collated by Kennicott also read שיר המעלות (Kennicott 1776, 421). The Septuagint (ᾠδὴ τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν), Jerome (canticum graduum), and the Targum (שירא דאתאמר על מסיקיין דתהומא) translate the superscription of Psalm 121 the same way they translate the other superscriptions in Pss 120–134, which suggests either that they read שיר המעלות or that they interpreted שיר למעלות and שיר המעלות as synonymous expressions. In his commentary on Psalm 120 (Greek: Psalm 119), Theodoret reports that "Symmachus and Aquila have 'for the Ascents (εἰς τὰς ἀναβάσεις)'" (Theodoret, trans. Hill, 2001, 279). It seems likely that Theodoret accidentally got the psalm number wrong and that the reading he reports for Symmachus and Aquila actually applies to Psalm 121 (Greek: Psalm 120). Thus, Symmachus and Aquila appear to support the reading of the Masoretic Text. In any case, the Masoretic reading (שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת) is likely earlier than the alternative reading. The reading שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת (see 11Q5 et al.) is a harmonization to the surrounding Psalms.

Add Exegetical Note

v. 2

Hebrew	Verse	English
עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה	2a	My help is from YHWH,
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃	2b	the one who made heaven and earth.

Macula

עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        ConstructChain <gloss="my help">
          noun: עֶזְר help
          suffix-pronoun: ִי me
      Predicate
        verb: is
        Complement
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: מֵעִם from
            Object
              Apposition
                noun: יְהוָה YHWH
                Nominal
                  Clause
                    Predicate
                      verb-participle: עֹשֵׂה the one who made
                      Object
                        noun: שָׁמַיִם heaven
                        conjunction: וָ and
                        noun: אָרֶץ earth

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        ConstructChain <gloss="my help">
          noun: עֶזְר help
          suffix-pronoun: ִי me
      Predicate
        verb: is
        Complement
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: מֵעִם from
            Object
              Apposition
                noun: יְהוָה YHWH
                Nominal
                  Clause
                    Predicate
                      verb-participle: עֹשֵׂה the one who made
                      Object
                        noun: שָׁמַיִם heaven
                        conjunction: וָ and
                        noun: אָרֶץ earth

Copy to display elsewhere

 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-2-None }}

Grammar Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

Lexical Notes

No Lexical notes to display for this diagram.

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 2

The preposition from (מֵעִם) is a compound preposition (מִן "from" + עִם "with") that indicates the "origin" of the help (DCH). "Help," which was with (עִם) YHWH, comes from (מֵ) him and to the psalmist (cf. Stazsack 2024, 283). The preposition corresponds to the interrogative "from where" (מֵאַיִן) in the previous clause and introduces the answer to the question.

Note for v. 2

The phrase heaven and earth (שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ) is "a more or less fixed phrase... equivalent to a single lexical item: the totality of God's creation" (SDBH). The phrase occurs three times within the Song of Ascents (see also Pss 124:8; 134:3).

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

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Add Exegetical Note

v. 3

Hebrew	Verse	English
אַל־יִתֵּ֣ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֶ֑ךָ	3a	May he not let your foot slip!
אַל־יָ֝נ֗וּם שֹֽׁמְרֶֽךָ׃	3b	May the one who guards you not doze off!

Macula

אַל־יִתֵּ֣ן לַמּ֣וֹט רַגְלֶ֑ךָ אַל־יָ֝נ֗וּם שֹֽׁמְרֶֽךָ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Predicate
        verb: יִתֵּן may he give >> may he let
        Object
          ConstructChain <gloss="your foot">
            noun: רַגְל foot
            suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="slip">
            Preposition
              preposition: לַ to
            Object
              Nominal
                noun: מּוֹט slipping
                article: הַ <status="elided"> the
        Adverbial
          adverb: אַל not
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        ConstructChain
          Nominal
            verb-participle: שֹׁמְר the one who guards
          suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
      Predicate
        verb: יָנוּם may doze off
        Adverbial
          adverb: אַל not

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Predicate
        verb: יִתֵּן may he give >> may he let
        Object
          ConstructChain <gloss="your foot">
            noun: רַגְל foot
            suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="slip">
            Preposition
              preposition: לַ to
            Object
              Nominal
                noun: מּוֹט slipping
                article: הַ <status="elided"> the
        Adverbial
          adverb: אַל not
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        ConstructChain
          Nominal
            verb-participle: שֹׁמְר the one who guards
          suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
      Predicate
        verb: יָנוּם may doze off
        Adverbial
          adverb: אַל not

Copy to display elsewhere

 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-3-None }}

Grammar Notes

No Grammar notes to display for this diagram.

Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 3

The verb guard (שׁמר) occurs six times in this psalm (vv. 3b, 4b, 5a, 7ab, 8a)—a remarkably high number of occurrences for such a short psalm. In its most basic, concrete sense, the verb שׁמר describes an "action by which humans or deities carefully observe an object or event for a longer period of time" (SDBH). It thus belongs to the lexical domain of "See(ing)" (so SDBH). E.g., Ps 37:37—"Observe (שְׁמָר) the blameless person, and look at (וּרְאֵה) the upright" (NASB). This is poetically significant, since the psalm begins with a phrase about seeing: "I lift my eyes up to the mountains..." (v. 1). The psalm thus describes a mutual "seeing." YHWH's people look up (lit.: lifts their eyes) to the mountains, seeking YHWH's help, and YHWH looks down (lit.: "watches >> guards") on his people to protect them.
In this context, the verb שׁמר implies protection, belonging to the semantic domain of "See > Safe" and to the contextual domains of "Security" and "Well-being" (SDBH). It refers to a "causative action by which humans or deities make sure that an object is safe from harm; by observing the object and the surrounding area carefully and intervening when necessary" (SDBH). One thinks of a shepherd "guarding" (שׁמר) his flock (Gen 30:31; Jer 31:10) or a "watchman" (שֹׁמֵר) on a city wall (cf. Isa 21:11–12; 62:6; Song 5:7; see also KAI 194.11 [Lachish 4], "watching [שמר] for smoke signals;" so Ibn Ezra: "because every fortified city has watchmen [שומרי] on the walls at night"). Elsewhere, the word is used, as it is here, for divine protection on a journey (e.g., Gen 28:15, 20).

Note for v. 3

A "watchman" (שֹׁמֵר) on the night shift (cf. Isa 21:11–12) might be tempted to "doze off" (נוּם) or "fall asleep" (ישׁן) on the job. But "the one who guards Israel never dozes or falls asleep." The verb doze off (נוּם) only occurs six times in the OT, and two of them are in this psalm (see also Isa 5:27; 56:10; Nah 3:18; Ps 76:6; cf. 4Q424, 3.5). The Septuagint translates the verb here with a form of the verb νυστάζω, which means "to be half asleep, doze" (LSJ). Most English translations use the word "slumbers," but "dozes" might be a better natural-language equivalent (GNT; so Goldingay 2006, 454). One can speak of a watchman "dozing off" on the job. This meaning of the verb is supported by a non-biblical psalm from Qumran (Ps 155), which describes a sequence of sleeping and waking, beginning with the verb נוּם: "I dozed off (נמתי) and fell asleep (ואישנה); I dreamt (חלמתי) and woke up (הקיצותי)" (11Q5 column 27 line 16).

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 3

The phrase translated let... slip (יִתֵּן לַמּוֹט; also in Ps 66:9) is, literally, "give to the slipping." The verb נתן, followed by an infinitive (or, in this case, a noun communicating a verbal idea), is a Biblical Hebrew way of saying "allow X-event to happen." See e.g., Gen 20:6—"I did not let you touch her (לֹא נְתַתִּיךָ לִנְגֹּעַ אֵלֶיהָ)" (NIV; see DCH נתן entry 7). The article on the word "slip" (לַמּוֹט) represents the generic use of the article, which is often used with "abstract terms, referring to attributes, qualities, or states" (IBHS §13.5.1g). In this case, it is used with an event ("slipping").

Verbal Notes

Verbal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 3

See The Negative Particles in Psalm121:3

Textual Notes

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Add Exegetical Note

v. 4

Hebrew	Verse	English
הִנֵּ֣ה לֹֽא־יָ֭נוּם וְלֹ֣א יִישָׁ֑ן	4a	Indeed, the one who guards Israel will not doze off and will not fall asleep.
שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃	4b	the one who guards Israel

Macula

הִנֵּ֣ה לֹֽא־יָ֭נוּם וְלֹ֣א יִישָׁ֑ן שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
  Fragment
    particle: הִנֵּה indeed
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        ConstructChain
          Nominal
            verb-participle: שׁוֹמֵר the one who guards
          noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel
      Predicate
        Predicate
          verb: יָנוּם will doze off
          Adverbial
            adverb: לֹא not
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Predicate
          verb: יִישָׁן fall asleep
          Adverbial
            adverb: לֹא not
        Adverbial <status="alternative">
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: בַּ in <status="alternative emendation">
            Object
              Nominal
                noun: לָּיְלָה night <status="alternative emendation">
                article: הַ the <status="alternative emendation">

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
  Fragment
    particle: הִנֵּה indeed
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        ConstructChain
          Nominal
            verb-participle: שׁוֹמֵר the one who guards
          noun: יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel
      Predicate
        Predicate
          verb: יָנוּם will doze off
          Adverbial
            adverb: לֹא not
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Predicate
          verb: יִישָׁן fall asleep
          Adverbial
            adverb: לֹא not
        Adverbial <status="alternative">
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: בַּ in <status="alternative emendation">
            Object
              Nominal
                noun: לָּיְלָה night <status="alternative emendation">
                article: הַ the <status="alternative emendation">

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-4-None }}

Grammar Notes

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Lexical Notes

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Phrase-Level

No Phrasal notes to display for this diagram.

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

Textual Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 4

The Great Psalms Scroll (11Q5; cf. note on v. 1) adds בלילה ("at night") at the end of v. 4. The DJD editor grouped this phrase with what follows, as the start of v. 5 (Sanders 1965, 24; so BHS), but it could just as easily be grouped with what precedes, as the end of v. 4—the spacing in the manuscript is indecisive. It makes more sense to group it with v. 4; "at night" fits better with the language of sleeping in v. 4 than with the language of shade in v. 5. The addition of this phrase is not attested in any other witness. It might be a literary addition. It might also be a scribal error (cf. בלילה יהוה ישמרכה in v. 6b–7a, on the next row of the manuscript, which looks like בלילה יהוה שומרכה in vv. 4b–5).

Add Exegetical Note

v. 5

Hebrew	Verse	English
יְהוָ֥ה שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ	5a	YHWH is the one who guards you.
יְהוָ֥ה צִ֝לְּךָ֗ עַל־יַ֥ד יְמִינֶֽךָ׃	5b	YHWH is your shade over your right hand.

Macula

יְהוָ֥ה שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ יְהוָ֥ה צִ֝לְּךָ֗ עַל־יַ֥ד יְמִינֶֽךָ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: is
        Complement
          ConstructChain
            Nominal 
              verb-participle: שֹׁמְר the one who guards
            suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: is
        Complement
          ConstructChain <gloss="your shade">
            Nominal 
              noun: צִלְּ shade
              Adjectival
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="over your right hand">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל over
                  Object
                    ConstructChain 
                      noun: יַד hand
                      noun: יְמִינ right hand
                      suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: is
        Complement
          ConstructChain
            Nominal 
              verb-participle: שֹׁמְר the one who guards
            suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
  Fragment
    Clause 
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: is
        Complement
          ConstructChain <gloss="your shade">
            Nominal 
              noun: צִלְּ shade
              Adjectival
                PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="over your right hand">
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל over
                  Object
                    ConstructChain 
                      noun: יַד hand
                      noun: יְמִינ right hand
                      suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-5-None }}

Grammar Notes

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Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 5

Verse 5b describes YHWH as shade (צֵל) for his people, protecting them from the sun's scorching heat (see v. 6a; cf. references to the "shade" of trees in Judg 9:15; Ps 80:11; Jonah 4:5–6; etc.).

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 5

Some English translations render the phrase עַל יַד יְמִינֶךָ as "at your right hand" (NET, NIV) or "by your side" (GNT, CSB). Similarly, Mena categorizes the use of עַל in this verse as a "contingent locative: The TR [=YHWH] is next to the LM [=your right hand] in close proximity" (2012, 121). Compare the similar phrase in Ps 110:5—"The Lord is at your right hand" (אֲדֹנָי עַל־יְמִינְךָ). But in this context, where protection from the sun is in view (see v. 6), עַל probably conveys its basic sense of "over" or "above." As Zenger writes, "The preposition עַל is to be translated here not as 'at the side of' or 'at your right hand' but as 'over,' since צֵל, 'shade,' evokes the idea of a 'sheltering umbrella' over the human being while he or she is traveling 'day and night'" (2011, 316).
The contruct phrase יַד יְמִינוֹ means "the hand of his right-hand side, i.e. his right hand" (DCH; e.g., Judg 3:15; Jer 22:24; Ezek 39:3; Ps 73:23) and is synonymous with יְמִינֹו by itself (see e.g., Gen 48:14 where the Samaritan Pentateuch has יד ימינו instead of MT's ימינו). A person's "right hand" is their "strong hand," and YHWH's position at or over a person's "right hand" elsewhere communicates his protective presence (cf. Ps 16:8; 109:3). In this context, where it communicates his protection from the sun (v. 6), "right hand" takes on additional significance, since the right hand was "the side of the human body which is to the south when facing the direction of the rising sun" (SDBH, cf. Ps 89:13, where יָמִין means "south"). Israel is in the Northern Hemisphere, just north of the equator, where the sun is always in the southern part of the sky, especially at midday. As a result, southern exposure gets the most direct sunlight, and shade would be most beneficial on the southern side of one's body, on one's "right" (יָמִין).

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

No Textual notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 5

Note for v. 5

Associate with v-5-None

In v. 5a, the MT has a verbless clause with a nominalized participle functioning as the predicate complement: "YHWH is the one who guards you (שֹׁמְרֶךָ)." The participle reading is also attested in the Great Psalms Scroll (11Q5, שומרכה) and in the Peshitta: "The Lord is your watchman (ܢܛܘܪܟ)" (Taylor 2020, 533). Some of the ancient versions, however, appear to reflect a yiqtol verb here (ישמרך, LXX: φυλάξει; Jerome iuxta Hebr.: custodiet; Targum: ינטרינך). It is also possible, however, that these translations reflect a participle and that their choice to render it as a future-tense verb is a matter of translation technique. In either case, the nominalized-participle reading makes for a better parallel with the verbless clause in v. 5b. The yiqtol reading (if indeed that is what stands behind these translations) might represent an assimilation to v. 7a: יהוה ישמרך. (Alternatively, the MT/11Q5 reading might represent an assimilation to the participle שמרך in v. 3b and the phrase שומר ישראל in v. 4b).

Add Exegetical Note

Alternative

(Alternative); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5a alternative]
  Fragment <status="alternative">
    Clause
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמֹר will guard <status="alternative emendation">
        Object
          suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 5a alternative]
  Fragment <status="alternative">
    Clause
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמֹר will guard <status="alternative emendation">
        Object
          suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-5-Alternative }}

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Lexical Notes

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Note for v. 5

Associate with v-5-Alternative

Verse 5b describes YHWH as shade (צֵל) for his people, protecting them from the sun's scorching heat (see v. 6a; cf. references to the "shade" of trees in Judg 9:15; Ps 80:11; Jonah 4:5–6; etc.).

Phrase-Level

No Phrasal notes to display for this diagram. Other notes for v. 5

Note for v. 5

Associate with v-5-Alternative

Some English translations render the phrase עַל יַד יְמִינֶךָ as "at your right hand" (NET, NIV) or "by your side" (GNT, CSB). Similarly, Mena categorizes the use of עַל in this verse as a "contingent locative: The TR [=YHWH] is next to the LM [=your right hand] in close proximity" (2012, 121). Compare the similar phrase in Ps 110:5—"The Lord is at your right hand" (אֲדֹנָי עַל־יְמִינְךָ). But in this context, where protection from the sun is in view (see v. 6), עַל probably conveys its basic sense of "over" or "above." As Zenger writes, "The preposition עַל is to be translated here not as 'at the side of' or 'at your right hand' but as 'over,' since צֵל, 'shade,' evokes the idea of a 'sheltering umbrella' over the human being while he or she is traveling 'day and night'" (2011, 316).
The contruct phrase יַד יְמִינוֹ means "the hand of his right-hand side, i.e. his right hand" (DCH; e.g., Judg 3:15; Jer 22:24; Ezek 39:3; Ps 73:23) and is synonymous with יְמִינֹו by itself (see e.g., Gen 48:14 where the Samaritan Pentateuch has יד ימינו instead of MT's ימינו). A person's "right hand" is their "strong hand," and YHWH's position at or over a person's "right hand" elsewhere communicates his protective presence (cf. Ps 16:8; 109:3). In this context, where it communicates his protection from the sun (v. 6), "right hand" takes on additional significance, since the right hand was "the side of the human body which is to the south when facing the direction of the rising sun" (SDBH, cf. Ps 89:13, where יָמִין means "south"). Israel is in the Northern Hemisphere, just north of the equator, where the sun is always in the southern part of the sky, especially at midday. As a result, southern exposure gets the most direct sunlight, and shade would be most beneficial on the southern side of one's body, on one's "right" (יָמִין).

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

Textual Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 5

In v. 5a, the MT has a verbless clause with a nominalized participle functioning as the predicate complement: "YHWH is the one who guards you (שֹׁמְרֶךָ)." The participle reading is also attested in the Great Psalms Scroll (11Q5, שומרכה) and in the Peshitta: "The Lord is your watchman (ܢܛܘܪܟ)" (Taylor 2020, 533). Some of the ancient versions, however, appear to reflect a yiqtol verb here (ישמרך, LXX: φυλάξει; Jerome iuxta Hebr.: custodiet; Targum: ינטרינך). It is also possible, however, that these translations reflect a participle and that their choice to render it as a future-tense verb is a matter of translation technique. In either case, the nominalized-participle reading makes for a better parallel with the verbless clause in v. 5b. The yiqtol reading (if indeed that is what stands behind these translations) might represent an assimilation to v. 7a: יהוה ישמרך. (Alternatively, the MT/11Q5 reading might represent an assimilation to the participle שמרך in v. 3b and the phrase שומר ישראל in v. 4b).

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v. 6

Hebrew	Verse	English
יוֹמָ֗ם הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ לֹֽא־יַכֶּ֗כָּה	6a	During the day, the sun will not strike you,
וְיָרֵ֥חַ בַּלָּֽיְלָה׃	6b	nor the moon at night.

Macula

יוֹמָ֗ם הַשֶּׁ֥מֶשׁ לֹֽא־יַכֶּ֗כָּה וְיָרֵ֥חַ בַּלָּֽיְלָה׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
  Fragment
    ClauseCluster
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal
            noun: שֶּׁמֶשׁ sun
            article: הַ the
        Predicate
          verb: יַכֶּ will strike
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: ֶכָּה you
          Adverbial
            adverb: לֹא not
          Adverbial
            adverb: יוֹמָם during the day
      Conjunction
        conjunction: וְ and
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: יָרֵחַ moon
        Predicate 
          verb: יַכֶּ will strike <status="elided">
          Object <status="elided">
            suffix-pronoun: ֶכָּה you <status="elided">
          Adverbial <status="elided">
            adverb: לֹא not
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="at night">
              Preposition 
                preposition: בַּ in
              Object
                Nominal
                  noun: לָּיְלָה night
                  article: הַ the

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
  Fragment
    ClauseCluster
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal
            noun: שֶּׁמֶשׁ sun
            article: הַ the
        Predicate
          verb: יַכֶּ will strike
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: ֶכָּה you
          Adverbial
            adverb: לֹא not
          Adverbial
            adverb: יוֹמָם during the day
      Conjunction
        conjunction: וְ and
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: יָרֵחַ moon
        Predicate 
          verb: יַכֶּ will strike <status="elided">
          Object <status="elided">
            suffix-pronoun: ֶכָּה you <status="elided">
          Adverbial <status="elided">
            adverb: לֹא not
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="at night">
              Preposition 
                preposition: בַּ in
              Object
                Nominal
                  noun: לָּיְלָה night
                  article: הַ the

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-6-None }}

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v. 7

Hebrew	Verse	English
יְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ מִכָּל־רָ֑ע	7a	YHWH will guard you from all harm.
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃	7b	He will guard your life.

Macula

יְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָרְךָ֥ מִכָּל־רָ֑ע יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמָרְ will guard
        Object
          suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: מִ from
            Object
              Nominal 
                noun: רָע harm
                quantifier: כָּל all
  Fragment
    Clause
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמֹר he will guard
        Object
          ConstructChain <gloss="your life">
            Nominal
              particle: אֶת
              noun: נַפְשׁ life
            suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמָרְ will guard
        Object
          suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Adverbial
          PrepositionalPhrase
            Preposition
              preposition: מִ from
            Object
              Nominal 
                noun: רָע harm
                quantifier: כָּל all
  Fragment
    Clause
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמֹר he will guard
        Object
          ConstructChain <gloss="your life">
            Nominal
              particle: אֶת
              noun: נַפְשׁ life
            suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-7-None }}

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v. 8

Hebrew	Verse	English
יְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָר־צֵאתְךָ֥ וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ	8a	YHWH will guard your going out and your coming in
מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם׃	8b	from now until forever.

Macula

יְֽהוָ֗ה יִשְׁמָר־צֵאתְךָ֥ וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗ה וְעַד־עוֹלָֽם׃

Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 8]
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמָר will guard
        Object
          Nominal
            ConstructChain <gloss="your going">
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    verb-infinitive: צֵאתְ going out
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וּ and
          Nominal
            ConstructChain <gloss="your coming in">
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    verb-infinitive: בוֹא coming in
              suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
        Adverbial
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: מֵ from
              Object
                particle: עַתָּה now
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ and
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: עַד until
              Object
                particle: עוֹלָם forever

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 8]
  Fragment
    Clause
      Subject
        noun: יְהוָה YHWH
      Predicate
        verb: יִשְׁמָר will guard
        Object
          Nominal
            ConstructChain <gloss="your going">
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    verb-infinitive: צֵאתְ going out
              suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וּ and
          Nominal
            ConstructChain <gloss="your coming in">
              Nominal
                Clause
                  Predicate
                    verb-infinitive: בוֹא coming in
              suffix-pronoun: ֶךָ you
        Adverbial
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: מֵ from
              Object
                particle: עַתָּה now
          Conjunction
            conjunction: וְ and
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: עַד until
              Object
                particle: עוֹלָם forever

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=121|DiagramID=v-8-None }}

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Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

The compound phrase "going out and coming in" (בוא וצאת) describes one's "daily activities" (Baethgen 1904, 375; cf. Deut 28:6; 31:2). Elsewhere, the two terms are opposites. E.g., Gen 31:33—"And he went out (וַיֵּצֵא) of Leah’s tent and entered (וַיָּבֹא) Rachel’s" (ESV). But in Ps 121, they function as a merism (cf. שׁמים וארץ in v. 2), encompassing all the activities a person might do. As Chrysostom writes, "Here, I agree, he refers to all of life: all of life is covered by this, entrances and exits" (Chrysostom trans. Hill 1998, 144). Thus, the NET translates, "The LORD will protect you in all you do."

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Psalm 121/Diagrams

v. 1

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

Alternative

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

v. 2

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

v. 3

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

v. 4

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

v. 5

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

Alternative

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

v. 6

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

v. 7

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

v. 8

Macula

Preferred

Grammar Notes

Lexical Notes

Phrase-Level

Verbal Notes

Textual Notes

Appendix

Files

Diagrams