Psalm 121:5 kjv
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Psalm 121:5 nkjv
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
Psalm 121:5 niv
The LORD watches over you? the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
Psalm 121:5 esv
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
Psalm 121:5 nlt
The LORD himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
Psalm 121 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:3-4 | He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you... will not slumber. | God is the sleepless, active keeper. |
| Ps 91:1 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow... | Divine dwelling provides protection (shade). |
| Ps 91:4 | He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge | God's protective covering like shade. |
| Isa 25:4 | For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy... a shade from the heat. | God as a protector from life's storms/heat. |
| Isa 32:2 | Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. | Imagery of comprehensive, life-sustaining shade. |
| Exo 13:21 | And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them... a pillar of fire by night. | God's physical protection and guidance (cloud/shade by day). |
| Num 14:9 | Do not fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us. | Refers to Israel's protection ("shade") removed from enemies. |
| Job 29:3 | when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; | God's presence as guiding light and warmth, analogous to shade. |
| Ps 32:7 | You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. | God as a hidden refuge and preserver. |
| Ps 16:8 | I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. | God as steadying presence on the right hand. |
| Ps 73:23 | Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand. | God's intimate and upholding support. |
| Ps 139:10 | even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. | God's leading and powerful grip. |
| Isa 41:10 | fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | God's strong right hand provides support. |
| Jer 31:10 | Hear the word of the LORD, O nations... He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock. | God's enduring watch over His people (shepherd's keeping). |
| Prov 2:8 | guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. | God's active surveillance and protection. |
| John 17:11-12 | Holy Father, keep them in your name... while I was with them, I kept them... | Jesus prays for and exercises spiritual keeping. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory... | God's ability to preserve believers spiritually. |
| 2 Thess 3:3 | But the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. | God's faithfulness includes guarding. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication... the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts... | God's peace as an internal guardian. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | God's overarching purpose in all circumstances, even suffering. |
Psalm 121 verses
Psalm 121 5 Meaning
Psalm 121:5 conveys a profound truth about God's intimate and unwavering care for His people. It declares that the LORD (Yahweh) is the personal protector, guardian, and preserver of the individual believer. The imagery of the "shade on your right hand" emphasizes an ever-present, accessible, and vital protection against life's trials and dangers, just as a cool shade provides relief from the harsh sun in a scorching land. It signifies God's active defense and sustaining presence right where a person needs it most, in the place of vulnerability and action.
Psalm 121 5 Context
Psalm 121 is one of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for the major festivals. The psalm begins with the question of where help comes from (v.1), immediately answering it with an affirmation of God as the Maker of heaven and earth (v.2). Verses 3-4 establish the unwavering, sleepless guardianship of the LORD over Israel. Verse 5 personalizes this general promise, directly addressing the "you" (the individual pilgrim) and specifying the nature of God's keeping – as a protective "shade" that is constantly available "on your right hand." This individual focus strengthens the assurance that the very God who keeps Israel also specifically guards each believer on their personal journey, protecting them from physical and spiritual harm promised in the verses that follow (sun, moon, evil, going out, coming in).
Psalm 121 5 Word analysis
- The LORD (יְהוָ֣ה – YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, Yahweh. It emphasizes God's self-existence, personal involvement, and faithfulness to His promises. The repetition of "The LORD" highlights the singular source and ultimate authority of this protection. It serves as a counterpoint to the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding cultures, proclaiming YHWH alone is the protector, unlike the unreliable local deities.
- is your keeper (שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ – shomeréḵā): "Shomer" means watchman, guardian, protector, preserver, or keeper. It implies constant vigilance and active intervention. This word directly echoes Ps 121:3 ("He who keeps you will not slumber") and 121:4 ("He who keeps Israel"). The suffix "-éḵā" means "your" (singular), making the general divine watchfulness highly personal and intimate for the one on pilgrimage.
- The LORD (יְהוָ֖ה – YHWH): Again, the powerful name of the covenant God is repeated, reinforcing that the same God who is the ultimate keeper is also the specific source of comfort and protection represented by "shade."
- is your shade (צִלְּךָ֥ – ṭilləḵā): "Tsel" means shade or shadow. In the arid Middle East, shade is not merely comfort but a necessity for survival, protecting from the intense, scorching sun and providing refuge. It symbolizes defense, refreshment, and shelter from physical dangers and oppressive conditions, metaphorical or literal. The possessive suffix "-əḵā" ("your") again individualizes this blessing.
- on your right hand (עַל־יַד־יְמִינֶֽךָ – ʿal-yaḏ-yəmīnāḵā):
- Right hand (יְמִין – yamīn): The right hand symbolizes strength, power, favor, honor, and often represents vulnerability in battle (the shield typically held in the left hand, leaving the sword-wielding right arm exposed to an enemy).
- "On your right hand": This specific positioning is critical. It implies a constant, close, and ready presence where protection is most needed. It can also refer to the side from which one might be attacked or the side that needs supporting. For pilgrims, exposed to sun and dangers on the open road, having God literally covering their most vulnerable, dominant, or active side speaks to profound, intimate care and readiness to defend against all assaults. It denotes an inseparable companion who provides immediate aid and defense.
Psalm 121 5 Bonus section
The concept of "shade" as divine protection appears across various biblical contexts, often in juxtaposition to the destructive power of heat, judgment, or oppressive forces. It reflects God's role as a life-giver and sustainer in a world of inherent dangers. This divine protection extends beyond mere physical comfort to encompassing spiritual and emotional safeguarding. The repeated use of "your" throughout the latter part of the psalm (Ps 121:5-8) highlights the deep personal bond between the worshipper and YHWH. The structure of the Psalm itself, moving from questioning doubt (v.1) to confident declaration (v.5), underlines a spiritual progression of faith where knowledge of God’s character provides assurance amidst life’s uncertainties.
Psalm 121 5 Commentary
Psalm 121:5 is a deeply comforting assertion that the God who created the heavens and the earth is not a distant deity but an ever-present, personal guardian. The phrase "the LORD is your keeper" moves the abstract promise of divine care to a direct, individual relationship, assuring the pilgrim that God specifically watches over them. The image of God as "your shade on your right hand" paints a vivid picture of essential, active protection. In the scorching sun of the ancient Near East, shade was synonymous with preservation of life; it implies constant availability, a shield against harshness. The "right hand" symbolizes strength and the place of potential vulnerability or action, indicating God's constant, vigilant protection where it is most intimately and powerfully needed. It's a promise of immediate, responsive, and holistic defense against both physical threats and spiritual perils. This verse assures the believer that no matter the journey or the dangers faced, God Himself is personally accompanying them, guarding their path and providing life-sustaining refuge.