“In weakness to my God I cling, Though foes be strong I calmly sing, Kept, safely kept.” —Wm. Blane
The pilgrims are making some progress towards the sanctuary. Now in the distance, as they lift up their eyes, they can see the holy hills that surround Jerusalem—Zion, Moriah, Olivet, and other lesser hills. Thus the song begins, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Ps 121:1). I use the KJV here because others have turned this into a question, and the added punctuation is unnecessary. Yes, it’s true, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (v 2). But that help has been focused on this ring of hills. Here on Moriah, after the offering of Isaac, the Lord renewed His covenant with Abraham concerning a people and a land. Here the Lord covenanted with David regarding a king and a throne. Here Solomon built the house of the Lord, and here is where the Messiah would die and the Church would be born. To these hills the Savior will return and establish His millennial rule. No wonder the psalmist links the hills and the help of God. But now we are introduced to the key word in the psalm. The pilgrims aren’t safely there yet; they need protection on the way—as we do! The Lord is described as “He who keeps you” (v 3). The word “keep” is the Hebrew šâmar, and is translated as “keeps” or “keeper” three times (vv 3-5) and three times as “preserve” (vv 7-8). The keep was the safest part of the castle, a fortress within a fortress. Notice the comprehensive couplets describing His keeping ministry. He “shall neither slumber [be drowsy] nor sleep” (v 4). You are protected 24/7, “by day” and “by night” (v 6). He will preserve you “from all evil” without, and “your soul” within (v 7), both in “your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore” (v 8). Safely kept!