Psalms 121:7
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Original Language Analysis
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
H3068
יְֽהוָ֗ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר
he shall preserve
H8104
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר
he shall preserve
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר
he shall preserve
H8104
יִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר
he shall preserve
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
Cross References
2 Timothy 4:18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Psalms 41:2The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.Proverbs 12:21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.Psalms 145:20The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.Psalms 97:10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.Matthew 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.Psalms 34:22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Historical Context
Throughout Scripture, God's preservation includes both temporal deliverance (exodus, exile return, individual rescues) and ultimate salvation (eternal security). Job, despite losing everything, maintained faith: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15). Daniel and friends faced death repeatedly, trusting God whether He delivered them physically or not (Daniel 3:17-18). Martyrs through church history demonstrated that God's preservation of the soul surpasses physical preservation. Romans 8:28 promises all things work for good; Romans 8:35-39 insists nothing separates believers from God's love. Ultimate preservation matters more than temporal safety.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's preservation of your "soul" (spiritual life) differ from mere physical protection?
- What "evil" has God preserved you from that you may not even be aware of?
- How can believers trust God's preserving care even when experiencing physical harm or loss?
Analysis & Commentary
YHWH yishmarekha mikol ra, yishmor et naphshekha (The LORD shall preserve you from all evil, He shall preserve your soul). Shamar (preserve/keep/guard) appears twice, emphasizing divine protection. Mikol ra (from all evil/harm) is comprehensive—no qualifier, no exception. Nephesh (soul/life/self) indicates the whole person—not just physical safety but spiritual preservation. God's keeping extends beyond bodily protection to soul-guarding. This anticipates Jesus's promise: "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul" (Matthew 10:28), and Paul's confidence: "the Lord...will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom" (2 Timothy 4:18).