TRV
Translation
King James Version
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
American Standard Version
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
World English Bible Messianic
He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.
Geneva Bible (1599)
He wil not suffer thy foote to slippe: for he that keepeth thee, will not slumber.
Young's Literal Translation
He suffereth not thy foot to be moved, Thy preserver slumbereth not.
In the KJVVerse 16,085 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 121 verses 1–8
1 ¶ A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
This psalm teaches us,
I. To stay ourselves upon God as a God of power and a God all-sufficient for us. David did so and found the benefit of it. 1. We must not rely upon creatures, upon men and means, instruments and second causes, nor make flesh our arm: "Shall I lift up my eyes to the hills?" - so some read it. "Does my help come thence? Shall I depend upon the powers of the earth, upon the strength of the hills, upon princes and great men, who, like hills, fill the earth, and hold up their heads towards heaven? No; in vain is salvation hoped for from hills and mountains, Jer 3:23. I never expect help to come from them; my confidence is in God only." We must lift up our eyes above the hills (so some read it); we must look beyond instruments to God, who makes them that to us which they are. 2. 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 his church, and with his people (his presence by promise) and not only to his common presence." When he was at a distance he would look towards the sanctuary (Psa 28:2; Psa 42:6); thence comes our help, from the word and prayer, from the secret of his tabernacle. My help cometh from the Lord (so the word is, Psa 121:2), from before the Lord, or from the sight and presence of the Lord. "This (says Dr. Hammond) may refer to Christ incarnate, with whose humanity the Deity being inseparably united, God is always present with him, and, through him, with us, for whom, sitting at God's right hand, he constantly maketh intercession." Christ is called the angel of his presence, that saved his people, Isa 63:9. 4. We must encourage our confidence in God with this that he made heaven and earth, and he who did that can do any thing. He made the world out of nothing, himself alone, by a word's speaking, in a little time, and all very good, very excellent and beautiful; and therefore, how great soever our straits and difficulties are, he has power sufficient for our succour and relief. He that made heaven and earth is sovereign Lord of all the hosts of both, and can make use of them as he pleases for the help of his people, and restrain them when he pleases from hurting his people.
II. To comfort ourselves in God when our difficulties and dangers are greatest. It is here promised that if we put our trust in God, and keep in the way of our duty, we shall be safe under his protection, so that no real evil, no mere evil, shall happen to us, nor any affliction but what God sees good for us and will do us good by. 1. God himself has undertaken to be our protector: The Lord is thy keeper, Psa 121:5. Whatever charge he gives his angels to keep his people, he has not thereby discharged himself, so that, whether every particular saint has an angel for his guardian or no, we are sure he has God himself for his guardian. It is infinite wisdom that contrives, and infinite power that works, the safety of those that have put themselves under God's protection. Those must needs be well kept that have the Lord for their keeper. If, by affliction, they be made his prisoners, yet still he is their keeper. 2. The same that is the protector of the church in general is engaged for the preservation of every particular believer, the same wisdom, the same power, the same promises. He that keepeth Israel (Psa 121:4) is thy keeper, Psa 121:5. The shepherd of the flock is the shepherd of every sheep, and will take care that not one, even of the little ones, shall perish. 3. He is a wakeful watchful keeper: "He that keepeth Israel, that keepeth thee, O Israelite! shall neither slumber nor sleep; he never did, nor ever will, for he is never weary; he not only does not sleep, but he does not so much as slumber; he has not the least inclination to sleep." 4. He not only protects those whom he is the keeper of, but he refreshes them: He is their shade. The comparison has a great deal of gracious condescension in it; the eternal Being who is infinite substance is what he is in order that he may speak sensible comfort to his people, promises to be their umbra - their shadow, to keep as close to them as the shadow does to the body, and to shelter them from the scorching heat, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, Isa 32:2. Under this shadow they may sit with delight and assurance, Sol 2:3. 5. He is always near to his people for their protection and refreshment, and never at a distance; he is their keeper and shade on their right hand; so that he is never far to seek. The right hand is the working hand; let them but turn themselves dexterously to their duty, and they shall find God ready to them, to assist them and give them success, Psa 16:8. 6. He is not only at their right hand, but he will also keep the feet of his saints, Sa1 2:9. He will have an eye upon them in their motions: He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. God will provide that his people shall not be tempted above what they are able, shall not fall into sin, though they may be very near it (Psa 73:2, Psa 73:23), shall not fall into trouble, though there be many endeavouring to undermine them by fraud or over throw them by force. He will keep them from being frightened, as we are when we slip or stumble and are ready to fall. 7. He will protect them from all the malignant influences of the heavenly bodies (Psa 121:6): The sun shall not smite thee with his heat by day nor the moon with her cold and moisture by night. The sun and moon are great blessings to mankind, and yet (such a sad change has sin made in the creation) even the sun and moon, though worshipped by a great part of mankind, are often instruments of hurt and distemper to human bodies; God by them often smites us; but his favour shall interpose so that they shall not damage his people. He will keep them night and day (Isa 27:3), as he kept Israel in the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day, which screened them from the heat of the sun, and of fire by night, which probably diffused a genial warmth over the whole camp, that they might not be prejudiced by the cold and damp of the night, their father Jacob having complained (Gen 31:40) that by day the drought consumed him and the frost by night. It may be understood figuratively: "Thou shalt not be hurt either by the open assaults of thy enemies, which are as visible as the scorching beams of the sun, or by their secret treacherous attempts, which are like the insensible insinuations of the cold by night." 8. His protection will make them safe in every respect: "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil, the evil of sin and the evil of trouble. He shall prevent the evil thou fearest, and shall sanctify, remove, or lighten, the evil thou feelest. He will keep thee from doing evil (Co2 13:7), and so far from suffering evil that whatever affliction happens to thee there shall be no evil in it. Even that which kills shall not hurt." 9. It is the spiritual life, especially, that God will take under his protection: He shall preserve thy soul. All souls are his; and the soul is the man, and therefore he will with a peculiar care preserve them, that they be not defiled by sin and disturbed by affliction. He will keep them by keeping us in the possession of them; and he will preserve them from perishing eternally. 10. He will keep us in all our ways: "He shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in. Thou shalt be under his protection in all thy journeys and voyages, outward-bound or homeward-bound, as he kept Israel in the wilderness, in their removes and rests. He will prosper thee in all thy affairs at home and abroad, in the beginning and in the conclusion of them. He will keep thee in life and death, thy going out and going on while thou livest and thy coming in when thou diest, going out to thy labour in the morning of thy days and coming home to thy rest when the evening of old age calls thee in," Psa 104:23. 11. He will continue his care over us from this time forth and even for evermore. It is a protection for life, never out of date. "He will be thy guide even unto death, and will then hide thee in the grave, hide thee in heaven. He will preserve thee in his heavenly kingdom." God will protect his church and his saints always, even to the end of the world. The Spirit, who is their preserver and comforter, shall abide with them for ever.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 121
Sing therefore what follows; if you wish to hear how you may most securely set your feet on the steps, so that you may not be fatigued in that ascent, nor stumble and fall: pray in these words: "Suffer not my foot to be moved!" [Psalm 121:3]. Whereby are feet moved; whereby was the foot of him who was in Paradise moved? But first consider whereby the feet of him who was among the Angels were moved: who when his feet were moved fell, and from an Angel became a devil: for when his feet were moved he fell. Seek whereby he fell: he fell through pride. Nothing then moves the feet, save pride: nothing moves the feet to a fall, save pride. Charity moves them to walk and to improve and to ascend; pride moves them to fall...Rightly therefore the Psalmist, hearing how he may ascend and may not fall, prays unto God that he may profit from the vale of misery, and may not fail in the swelling of pride, in these words, "Suffer not my feet to be moved!" And He replies unto him, "Let him that keeps you not sleep." Attend, my beloved. It is as if one thought were expressed in two sentences; the man while ascending and singing "the song of degrees," says, "Suffer not my foot to be moved:" and it is as if God answered, You say unto Me, Let not my feet be moved: say also, "Let Him that keeps you not sleep," and your foot shall not be moved.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 121:3 delivers a profound message of divine assurance, declaring God's ceaseless and vigilant guardianship over His people. It stands as a powerful affirmation of the Lord's unwavering commitment to protect and sustain those who trust in Him, ensuring their steadfastness and security throughout life's journey, for the ultimate Keeper neither falters nor sleeps.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 121:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine protection. Anthropomorphism is evident in the phrase "he that keepeth thee will not slumber." While God does not possess human physical attributes like sleep, the psalmist uses this human characteristic to emphasize God's lack of human limitation, thereby asserting His absolute, continuous vigilance and attentiveness. This contrasts sharply with the fallibility of human watchmen. The verse also utilizes Parallelism, specifically a form of Synthetic Parallelism where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "He that keepeth thee will not slumber" explains how "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved." The constant vigilance of the Keeper is the guarantee of the pilgrim's stability. Furthermore, Synecdoche is present in the use of "foot" to represent the entire person's life, journey, and spiritual walk. The stability of the "foot" signifies the overall security and steadfastness of the individual.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 121:3 profoundly articulates the biblical theme of God's unwavering providence and His intimate, personal care for His people. It reveals God as an ever-present, active Guardian, whose vigilance is not contingent on human circumstances or the passage of time. This divine attribute—His sleepless watchfulness—is a cornerstone of biblical theology, assuring believers that their security is rooted not in their own strength or alertness, but in the immutable character of God Himself. This verse connects to the broader narrative of God's covenant faithfulness, where He pledges to protect and preserve His chosen ones, guiding them through life's wildernesses and ensuring their ultimate arrival at His promised destination. It speaks to God's omnipotence and omnipresence, affirming that no danger is too great, and no moment passes without His full awareness and active intervention on behalf of His beloved.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world characterized by uncertainty, anxiety, and constant change, Psalms 121:3 offers an anchor for the soul. It invites believers to release their grip on self-reliance and surrender to the sovereign care of a God who never rests, never tires, and never loses sight of His beloved. This truth should cultivate a profound sense of peace and security, knowing that our ultimate stability—be it spiritual, emotional, or even physical—is not dependent on our own vigilance but on His. It empowers us to walk with confidence, not presumptuously, but with a quiet assurance that even when we feel our footing is precarious, our divine Keeper is actively preventing our ultimate fall. This verse encourages us to bring our fears, our vulnerabilities, and our uncertainties before the Lord, trusting that His watchful eye is always upon us, ready to sustain, guide, and deliver.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved" solely about physical safety?
Answer: While the imagery of a "foot" might initially suggest physical stability, especially for pilgrims on a treacherous journey, the promise extends far beyond mere physical safety. In biblical thought, the "foot" often represents one's walk, path, or life journey. Therefore, "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved" encompasses spiritual, emotional, and existential stability. It assures believers that God will prevent them from stumbling into sin, falling away from faith, or being utterly overthrown by life's trials and temptations. It speaks to God's commitment to preserve His people in their faith and their ultimate destiny, ensuring they remain steadfast in their walk with Him.
How can God "not slumber" if the Bible also speaks of Him resting on the seventh day after creation?
Answer: The concept of God "resting" on the seventh day in Genesis 2:2-3 signifies the completion and cessation of His work of creation, establishing a pattern for humanity's Sabbath rest. It does not imply that God became inactive or literally "slept" in the human sense. Rather, it denotes a shift from active creation to active sustenance and governance of His creation. The phrase "will not slumber" in Psalms 121:3 emphasizes God's continuous, unwavering, and active providential care for His people. Unlike human beings who need sleep to replenish, God is omnipotent and omniscient, requiring no rest from His ceaseless vigilance and active involvement in the lives of His creation. His "rest" is one of sovereign control and perfect order, not of weariness or inattention.
Does this verse mean that believers will never face difficulties, suffering, or moments of profound instability?
Answer: No, this verse does not promise a life devoid of challenges or suffering. The "Songs of Ascents" themselves acknowledge the dangers and difficulties of the pilgrim journey. Instead, Psalms 121:3 promises that through these difficulties, God will ensure the ultimate stability and preservation of His people. It means that while believers may stumble, face trials, or feel their footing precarious, God will not allow them to be utterly overthrown, dislodged from His hand, or suffer ultimate spiritual failure. His protection is not an absence of struggle, but a guarantee of perseverance and ultimate triumph, ensuring that the believer's faith and life path remain secure in His sovereign care, even amidst the storms.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 121:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Keeper of His people. He is the divine Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, promising that "no one will snatch them out of my hand" John 10:28. Unlike human guardians who might slumber, Jesus, our great High Priest, "always lives to intercede" for us Hebrews 7:25, demonstrating His unceasing vigilance over His flock. His sacrifice on the cross provides the ultimate stability for our souls, ensuring that our "foot will not be moved" from the path of salvation, for He has secured our redemption and eternal standing before God. He is the one who "is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy" Jude 1:24. Through His resurrection, He conquered death and sin, establishing a new and living way, and His Holy Spirit indwells believers, serving as an eternal seal and guarantee of their preservation until the day of redemption Ephesians 4:30. Thus, the promise of the sleepless Guardian is fully realized in Christ, who is our constant protector, intercessor, and the very foundation of our unwavering hope.