Psalms 121:4

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

American King James Version (AKJV)

Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

American Standard Version (ASV)

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

See, the eyes of Israel's keeper will not be shut in sleep.

Webster's Revision

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

World English Bible

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

English Revised Version (ERV)

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Clarke's Psalms 121:4 Bible Commentary

He that keepeth Israel - The Divine Being represents himself as a watchman, who takes care of the city and its inhabitants during the night-watches; and who is never overtaken with slumbering or sleepiness. There is a thought in the Antigone of Sophocles, that seems the counterpart of this of the psalmist,

Ταν σαν, Ζευ, δυναμιν τις ανδρων

Ὑπερβασια κατασχοι,

Ταν ουθ' ὑπνος αἱ -

ρει ποθ' ὁ παντογηρως,

Ακαματοι τε θεων

Μηνες;

Antig. ver. 613, Edit. Johnson.

Shall men below control great Jove above,Whose eyes by all-subduing sleep

Are never closed, as feeble mortals' are;But still their watchful vigil keep

Through the long circle of th' eternal year?

Franklin.

Barnes's Psalms 121:4 Bible Commentary

Behold, he that keepeth Israel - The Keeper - the Guardian - of his people. The psalmist here passes from his own particular case to a general truth - a truth to him full of consolation. It is, that the people of God must always be safe; that their great Guardian never slumbers; and that he, as one of his people, might, therefore, confidently look for his protecting care.

Shall neither slumber nor sleep - Never slumbers, never ceases to be watchful. Man sleeps; a sentinel may slumber on his post, by inattention, by long-continued wakefulness, or by weariness; a pilot may slumber at the helm; even a mother may fall asleep by the side of the sick child; but God is never exhausted, is never weary, is never inattentive. He never closes his eyes on the condition of his people, on the needs of the world.