Translation: ESV
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
Asking the right question about the source of help is the beginning of faith.
▸The pilgrim lifting eyes toward the hills symbolizes the journey toward Jerusalem.
The pilgrim lifting eyes toward the hills symbolizes the journey toward Jerusalem. 'From where does my help come?' is the question of one facing a threatening journey. This question leads into the confession of the next verse.
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
True help does not come from the mountains but from the Creator God who made the mountains.
▸This is the answer to the question of verse 1.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
God never slumbers or sleeps; his care does not cease for a single moment of the day.
▸This is a promise that he will keep you from stumbling on the rugged pilgrim path and will keep watch without resting.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Unlike pagan gods, God neither slumbers nor sleeps and is always alert in keeping his covenant people.
▸The personal promise of verse 3 is extended to the entire community.
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
God becomes our shade, protecting the most vulnerable parts of our lives.
▸The expression that God is 'shade on your right hand' is distinctive.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
God's protection guards his people from all dangers, by day and night alike—24 hours a day.
▸The sun by day and the moon by night—that is, all 24 hours—God protects.
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
God's protection extends not only to external circumstances but deep into the soul itself.
▸The scope of protection is expanded.
The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
God keeps every movement and every moment of life from this time forth and forevermore.
▸'Going out and coming in' refers to all activities and movements of life.