A song of ascents.
This phrase indicates that Psalm 121 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.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
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.

From where does my help come?
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 Isaiah 40:28-31 and Psalm 46:1. The question also invites readers to consider their own sources of help and to place their trust in God alone.

1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to King David, the psalmist is expressing a personal reflection and a declaration of faith.

2. The Hills
Often seen as places of refuge or danger, the hills symbolize both the challenges and the divine presence in the psalmist's life.

3. Jerusalem
The city is surrounded by hills, and it is a place of spiritual significance, representing God's dwelling place.

4. Pilgrims
This psalm is part of the "Songs of Ascents," sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, symbolizing a journey of faith.

5. God as Helper
The central figure in the psalm, God is portrayed as the ultimate source of help and protection.Dependence on God
The psalmist's question highlights the need to recognize our dependence on God rather than relying solely on earthly sources of help.

Spiritual Vision
Lifting our eyes symbolizes a shift in focus from earthly challenges to divine solutions, encouraging believers to maintain a heavenly perspective.

God's Faithfulness
The hills can represent both challenges and God's enduring presence, reminding us of His faithfulness throughout life's journey.

Prayer and Reflection
This verse invites believers to engage in prayer and reflection, seeking God's guidance and strength in times of need.

Community of Faith
As part of the Songs of Ascents, this psalm underscores the importance of communal worship and support in the faith journey.(1) Whence.--Our version is certainly incorrect in following the LXX. and Vulg. in making whence a relative. The Hebrew word is always interrogative; even in Joshua 2:4 it is indirectly interrogative. But the margin is hardly right in making the whole verse interrogative. Render, I will lift up mine eyes to the hills. Whence comes my help? The hills are those on which Jerusalem is built, the plural being understood, as in Psalm 87:1. (See Note.) This gaze of hope does not absolutely decide the standpoint of the poet. He might have been like Ezekiel (Ezekiel 6:2) 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 Psalm 3:4; Psalm 14:7, 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 (Psalm 125:2), and as heights of observation from which to watch for the messengers of peace (Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15). . . . Verse 1. - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. The "holy hills," that stand round about Jerusalem, are intended (Psalm 87:1; Psalm 125:2). There God had "promised his blessing, even life forevermore" (Psalm 133:3). From whence cometh my help. 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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


A Song
שִׁ֗יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

of Ascents.
לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת (lam·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

I lift up
אֶשָּׂ֣א (’eś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

my eyes
עֵ֭ינַי (‘ê·nay)
Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the hills.
הֶהָרִ֑ים (he·hā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

From where
מֵ֝אַ֗יִן (mê·’a·yin)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 370: Whence?

does my help
עֶזְרִֽי׃ (‘ez·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5828: A help, helper

come?
יָבֹ֥א (yā·ḇō)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT Poetry: Psalm 121:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.)