CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/121-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_121_001.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 121:1 - I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/121-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/121-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/121.htm">Chapter 121</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/120-7.htm" title="Psalm 120:7">◄</a> Psalm 121:1 <a href="/psalms/121-2.htm" title="Psalm 121:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/121.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/121.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/121.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/121.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/121.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/121.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/121.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/121.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will raise my eyes to the mountains; From where will my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/121.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/121.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />I Will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/121.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/121.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]— From where shall my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/121.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/121.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/121.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/121.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I look to the hills! Where will I find help? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/121.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: from whence shall my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/121.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[A song for going up to worship.] I look up toward the mountains. Where can I find help?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/121.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/121.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I lift up my eyes toward the mountains— from where will my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/121.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/121.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I look up toward the hills. From where does my help come? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/121.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />[A Song of Ascents.] I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/121.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A Song of degrees. I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/121.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/121.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. I lift up my eyes to the hills, "" From where does my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/121.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A Song of the Ascents. I lift up mine eyes unto the hills, Whence doth my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/121.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Song of ascensions. I will lift up mine eyes to the mountains from whence shall come my help.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/121.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/121.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 120:1>A Canticle in steps. I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains; from thence help will come to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/121.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From whence shall come my help? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/121.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/121.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I WILL lift up mine eyes to the mountain from whence comes my help.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/121.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I shall lift my eyes to the hills; from where will come my helper?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/121.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: From whence shall my help come?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/121.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A Song of Degrees. I lifted up mine eyes to the mountains, whence my help shall come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/121-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=16045" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/121.htm">I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7892.htm" title="7892: šîr (N-ms) -- A song, singing. Or feminine shiyrah; from shiyr; a song; abstractly, singing.">A song</a> <a href="/hebrew/4609.htm" title="4609: lam·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ (Prep-l, Art:: N-fp) -- Feminine of ma'aleh; elevation, i.e. The act, or the condition; specifically a climactic progression.">of ascents.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: ’eś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel."> I lift up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nay (N-cdc:: 1cs) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">my eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: he·hā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the hills.</a> <a href="/hebrew/370.htm" title="370: mê·’a·yin (Prep-m:: Adv) -- Whence?. Probably identical with 'ayin in the sense of query.">From where</a> <a href="/hebrew/5828.htm" title="5828: ‘ez·rî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A help, helper. From azar; aid.">does my help</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yā·ḇō (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">come?</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-26.htm">Isaiah 40:26</a></span><br />Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/123-1.htm">Psalm 123:1</a></span><br />A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/125-2.htm">Psalm 125:2</a></span><br />As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/91-11.htm">Psalm 91:11-12</a></span><br />For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. / They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22</a></span><br />Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-12.htm">2 Chronicles 20:12</a></span><br />Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-1.htm">Psalm 46:1</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/124-8.htm">Psalm 124:8</a></span><br />Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/3-4.htm">Psalm 3:4</a></span><br />To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/5-3.htm">Psalm 5:3</a></span><br />In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/25-15.htm">Psalm 25:15</a></span><br />My eyes are always on the LORD, for He will free my feet from the mesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/141-8.htm">Psalm 141:8</a></span><br />But my eyes are fixed on You, O GOD the Lord. In You I seek refuge; do not leave my soul defenseless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></span><br />But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></span><br />Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where comes my help.</p><p class="hdg">title.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/120-1.htm">Psalm 120:1</a></b></br> A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.</p><p class="hdg">I will, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/3-23.htm">Jeremiah 3:23</a></b></br> Truly in vain <i>is salvation hoped for</i> from the hills, <i>and from</i> the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God <i>is</i> the salvation of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">lift up</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/2-6.htm">Psalm 2:6</a></b></br> Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Psalm 68:15,16</a></b></br> The hill of God <i>is as</i> the hill of Bashan; an high hill <i>as</i> the hill of Bashan… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/78-68.htm">Psalm 78:68</a></b></br> But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/120-7.htm">Ascents</a> <a href="/psalms/120-1.htm">Degrees</a> <a href="/psalms/119-148.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/119-175.htm">Help</a> <a href="/psalms/114-6.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/psalms/116-13.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/psalms/114-6.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/120-7.htm">Song</a> <a href="/psalms/120-1.htm">Up&Gt</a> <a href="/job/28-20.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/121-8.htm">Ascents</a> <a href="/psalms/122-1.htm">Degrees</a> <a href="/psalms/121-4.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/121-2.htm">Help</a> <a href="/psalms/133-3.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/psalms/123-1.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/psalms/125-2.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/121-8.htm">Song</a> <a href="/psalms/123-1.htm">Up&Gt</a> <a href="/psalms/140-10.htm">Whence</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 121</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/121-1.htm">The great safety of the godly, who put their trust in God's protection</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/121.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/121.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A song of ascents.</b><br>This phrase indicates that <a href="/psalms/121.htm">Psalm 121</a> is part of a collection known as the "Songs of Ascents," which includes Psalms 120-134. These psalms were traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The term "ascents" reflects both the physical journey upwards to the elevated city of Jerusalem and a spiritual ascent towards God. The pilgrimage was not only a physical journey but also a time of spiritual reflection and renewal.<p><b>I lift up my eyes to the hills.</b><br>The hills mentioned here likely refer to the mountainous region surrounding Jerusalem. For the ancient Israelites, these hills were a symbol of strength and stability. Geographically, Jerusalem is situated on a series of hills, and travelers would see these as they approached the city. In a broader spiritual sense, lifting one's eyes to the hills can symbolize looking beyond the immediate circumstances to seek divine assistance. The hills could also represent the high places where people often sought divine encounters, though the psalmist's focus is on the true source of help.<p><b>From where does my help come?</b><br>This rhetorical question emphasizes the psalmist's reliance on God rather than on the physical hills or any earthly source. It reflects a moment of introspection and acknowledgment of human limitations. The question sets the stage for the affirmation of faith that follows in the subsequent verses, where the psalmist declares that help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. This echoes other biblical passages that emphasize God's sovereignty and providence, such as <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Isaiah 40:28-31</a> and <a href="/psalms/46.htm">Psalm 46:1</a>. The question also invites readers to consider their own sources of help and to place their trust in God alone.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed to King David, the psalmist is expressing a personal reflection and a declaration of faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_hills.htm">The Hills</a></b><br>Often seen as places of refuge or danger, the hills symbolize both the challenges and the divine presence in the psalmist's life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city is surrounded by hills, and it is a place of spiritual significance, representing God's dwelling place.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pilgrims.htm">Pilgrims</a></b><br>This psalm is part of the "Songs of Ascents," sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, symbolizing a journey of faith.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_helper.htm">God as Helper</a></b><br>The central figure in the psalm, God is portrayed as the ultimate source of help and protection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>The psalmist's question highlights the need to recognize our dependence on God rather than relying solely on earthly sources of help.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_vision.htm">Spiritual Vision</a></b><br>Lifting our eyes symbolizes a shift in focus from earthly challenges to divine solutions, encouraging believers to maintain a heavenly perspective.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>The hills can represent both challenges and God's enduring presence, reminding us of His faithfulness throughout life's journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_reflection.htm">Prayer and Reflection</a></b><br>This verse invites believers to engage in prayer and reflection, seeking God's guidance and strength in times of need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_of_faith.htm">Community of Faith</a></b><br>As part of the Songs of Ascents, this psalm underscores the importance of communal worship and support in the faith journey.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_121.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 121</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/from_where_do_i_receive_assistance.htm">From where do I receive assistance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'help_from_the_lord'_mean.htm">What does "My help comes from the Lord" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_being_slow_to_anger_mean.htm">What does 'My help comes from the Lord' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_psalm_121_1.htm">What is the meaning of Psalm 121:1?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/121.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">Whence.</span>--Our version is certainly incorrect in following the LXX. and Vulg. in making <span class= "ital">whence </span>a relative. The Hebrew word is always interrogative; even in <a href="/joshua/2-4.htm" title="And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men to me, but I knew not from where they were:">Joshua 2:4</a> it is indirectly interrogative. But the margin is hardly right in making the whole verse interrogative. Render, <span class= "ital">I will lift up mine eyes to the hills. Whence comes my help? </span>The hills are those on which Jerusalem is built, the plural being understood, as in <a href="/psalms/87-1.htm" title="His foundation is in the holy mountains.">Psalm 87:1</a>. (See Note.) This gaze of hope does not absolutely decide the standpoint of the poet. He might have been like Ezekiel (<a href="/ezekiel/6-2.htm" title="Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,">Ezekiel 6:2</a>) when bidden to turn "towards the mountains of Israel" in the distant plain of Mesopotamia; or he may have been close on the end of the pilgrim journey, and actually under the sacred hills. But wherever he stands, this question is not one of doubt; he knows, as in <a href="/psalms/3-4.htm" title="I cried to the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.">Psalm 3:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/14-7.htm" title="Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD brings back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.">Psalm 14:7</a>, that help will come from God's holy hill "out of Zion." He puts the question for the sake of the emphatic answer in the next verse. Possibly, as suggested by the marginal rendering and reference, the poet may in his mind have been contrasting the confidence with which a worshipper of Jehovah might look up to the sacred city on the crest of the holy hill with that superstition and idolatry which was associated with so many hills and high places in Canaan. If this is so, the best commentary, both on the poetry and the religion of the psalm, is to be found in Mr. Ruskin's fascinating discourses on mountains in "Modern Painters," their influence on the ancient, mediaeval, and modern mind, and the part they have played alike in the mythology of the pagan times and the religion of the Christian world. There must also be added, in connection with the feeling of the Jew, the part his mountains played as a barrier of defence (<a href="/psalms/125-2.htm" title="As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from now on even for ever.">Psalm 125:2</a>), and as heights of observation from which to watch for the messengers of peace (<a href="/isaiah/52-7.htm" title="How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that said to Zion, Your God reigns!">Isaiah 52:7</a>; <a href="/nahum/1-15.htm" title="Behold on the mountains the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace! O Judah, keep your solemn feasts, perform your vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off.">Nahum 1:15</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/121.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills</span>. The "holy hills," that stand round about Jerusalem, are intended (<a href="/psalms/87-1.htm">Psalm 87:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/125-2.htm">Psalm 125:2</a>). There God had "promised his blessing, even life forevermore" (<a href="/psalms/133-3.htm">Psalm 133:3</a>). <span class="cmt_word">From whence cometh my help.</span> Most modern critics regard this clause as interrogative, and translate, "Whence is it that my help shall come?" But "the question is only asked to give more effect to the answer" (Cheyne). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/121-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A Song</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁ֗יר</span> <span class="translit">(šîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7892.htm">Strong's 7892: </a> </span><span class="str2">A song, singing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Ascents.</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lam·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4609.htm">Strong's 4609: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I lift up</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶשָּׂ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(’eś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֭ינַי</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the hills.</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶהָרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(he·hā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">From where</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֝אַ֗יִן</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’a·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_370.htm">Strong's 370: </a> </span><span class="str2">Whence?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does my help</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶזְרִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ez·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5828.htm">Strong's 5828: </a> </span><span class="str2">A help, helper</span><br /><br /><span class="word">come?</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/121-1.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 121:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/120-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 120:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 120:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/121-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 121:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 121:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>