Psalms 121:8

Authorized King James Version

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יְֽהוָ֗ה

H3068

The LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יִשְׁמָר

H8104

shall preserve

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

צֵאתְךָ֥

H3318

thy going out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וּבוֹאֶ֑ךָ

H935

and thy coming in

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֵֽ֝עַתָּ֗ה

H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

וְעַד

H5704

from this time forth and even for

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃

H5769

evermore

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The historical context of the monarchic period, particularly David's reign (c. 1000-970 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The Israelite monarchy with its temple worship, court life, and constant military threats created the liturgical and emotional context for these prayers and praises. The ancient Israelite worship practices and court culture would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Temple archaeology and ancient musical instruments illuminate the liturgical context of Israelite worship.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?