Psalms 121:8
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
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
יִשְׁמָר
shall preserve
H8104
יִשְׁמָר
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
צֵאתְךָ֥
thy going out
H3318
צֵאתְךָ֥
thy going out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 7
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ
and thy coming in
H935
וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ
and thy coming in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 7
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗ה
H6258
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:6Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.Proverbs 2:8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.Proverbs 3:6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Ezra 8:31Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.Psalms 113:2Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.Psalms 115:18But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.2 Samuel 5:2Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.Ezra 8:21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Historical Context
Ancient benedictions blessed "going out and coming in" (Deuteronomy 28:6), covering all ventures—whether warfare, travel, daily work, or household activities. David's successful military campaigns exemplified God preserving his going out and coming in (1 Samuel 18:5, 13-14, 2 Samuel 8:6, 14). The phrase became liturgical blessing. Jewish tradition uses this Psalm as traveler's prayer. The ultimate "going out" is death; ultimate "coming in" is entering God's presence. The promise extends from present temporal activities through death into eternal life. God's preserving care spans time and eternity.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific "going out" and "coming in" activities in your life require divine preservation?
- How does the promise of eternal preservation ("forevermore") affect present anxieties?
- In what ways has God's past preservation of your "comings and goings" strengthened trust for future uncertainties?
Analysis & Commentary
YHWH yishmor tzeitkha u'vo'ekha me'atah v'ad olam (The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore). Yatza (go out) and bo (come in) form a merism encompassing all activity and movement. Me'atah (from now); ad olam (until forever). The promise spans both activities (all comings/goings) and time (present to eternity). Numbers 27:17 and Deuteronomy 28:6 use similar language for comprehensive blessing. This closing verse summarizes the Psalm: God's protective care covers every activity, every time, forever. It began with looking to hills (v.1) and concludes with eternal preservation.