Psalm 121:5
New International Version
The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

New Living Translation
The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.

English Standard Version
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.

King James Bible
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

New King James Version
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD is your protector; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

NASB 1995
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

NASB 1977
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh is your keeper; Yahweh is your shade on your right hand.

Amplified Bible
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side.

American Standard Version
Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD is your protector, there at your right side to shade you from the sun.

English Revised Version
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD is your guardian. The LORD is the shade over your right hand.

Good News Translation
The LORD will guard you; he is by your side to protect you.

International Standard Version
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade at your right side.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.

NET Bible
The LORD is your protector; the LORD is the shade at your right hand.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD is your keeper. The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Webster's Bible Translation
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

World English Bible
Yahweh is your keeper. Yahweh is your shade on your right hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
YHWH [is] He who is preserving you, "" YHWH [is] your shade on your right hand,

Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah is thy preserver, Jehovah is thy shade on thy right hand,

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah watching thee Jehovah thy shade upon thy right hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your protection, above your right hand.

New American Bible
The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD will protect you with his right hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH is your keeper and LORD JEHOVAH will put you in his right hand.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The LORD is thy keeper; The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The Lord shall keep thee: the Lord is thy shelter upon thy right hand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills
4Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. 6The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.…

Cross References
Isaiah 25:4
For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart.

Isaiah 4:5-6
Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy, / a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain.

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 16:8
I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Isaiah 49:10
They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Exodus 13:21-22
And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people.

2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

1 Peter 1:5
who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD is your keeper: the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

thy shade

Exodus 13:21
And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

Isaiah 4:5,6
And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence…

Isaiah 25:4
For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

upon

Psalm 16:8
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Psalm 109:31
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

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Psalm 121
1. The great safety of the godly, who put their trust in God's protection














The LORD
The term "LORD" in this verse is translated from the Hebrew "YHWH," often vocalized as Yahweh. This is the personal name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. In the context of Psalm 121, it underscores the intimate relationship between God and His people. Historically, the use of this name signifies a covenantal relationship, reminding the reader of God's promises and faithfulness throughout the Scriptures.

is your keeper
The word "keeper" comes from the Hebrew "shamar," which means to guard, protect, or watch over. This term is rich with imagery, suggesting a vigilant guardian who is constantly attentive. In ancient times, a keeper would be responsible for the safety and well-being of those under their care, much like a shepherd with his sheep. This phrase assures believers of God's continuous protection and care, reinforcing the idea that He is actively involved in the lives of His people.

the LORD is your shade
The word "shade" is translated from the Hebrew "tsel," which can mean shadow or protection. In the harsh climate of the Middle East, shade is a vital source of relief and comfort. This imagery conveys God's protective presence, offering respite and shelter from the trials and adversities of life. It evokes the idea of God as a refuge, a place of safety and peace amidst the heat of life's challenges.

at your right hand
The phrase "at your right hand" signifies a position of honor and strength. In biblical times, the right hand was considered the place of power and authority. This expression indicates that God is not only present but is actively supporting and empowering the believer. It suggests a close, personal relationship where God is intimately involved in guiding and sustaining His people, providing them with the strength they need to face life's battles.

(5) Thy keeper.--Notice again how the prominent word is caught up from the preceding verse and amplified, and then again repeated, and again amplified in Psalm 121:7-8, where preserve is an unfortunate substitution by the Authorised Version.

Shade.--An image of protection, and one peculiarly attractive to the Oriental. (See Numbers 14:9, margin; Psalm 91:1; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 32:2.) . . .

Verse 5. - The Lord is thy Keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. "Thy shade" means "thy protection." "thy defense." Protection was especially needed on the right hand, as the side which no shield guarded. Latin writers call the right side "latus aperture."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

[is] your keeper;
שֹׁמְרֶ֑ךָ (šō·mə·re·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

[is] the shade
צִ֝לְּךָ֗ (ṣil·lə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6738: A shadow

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your right
יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ (yə·mî·ne·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

hand.
יַ֥ד (yaḏ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Poetry: Psalm 121:5 Yahweh is your keeper (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 121:4
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