Psalms 121:7 Meaning and Explanation
“The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God keeps watch over us through every harm, and most carefully of all He keeps our very soul.
The Context of Psalms 121:7
Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascents, and this verse comes near its close, after the psalm has named the LORD as the keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The same word for "keep" runs through the whole song like a refrain.
What Does Psalms 121:7 Mean?
The promise is sweeping: the LORD shall preserve thee from all evil. The faithful do still meet hardship, for the psalm was sung by travelers who knew real danger on the road. What it means is that no evil can finally undo the one God keeps. Then the verse narrows to the most precious thing of all: "he shall preserve thy soul." Whatever touches the body or the journey, the deepest part of us, the self that belongs to God, is held secure in His hand.
Jesus carried this keeping to its fullest, promising that no one can pluck His own out of His hand. He met evil head-on and broke its final power, so that even when trouble reaches us, our soul is safe in Him. The God who watches over our going and coming watches most closely over the part of us that lives forever. In Christ that keeping holds, all the way through.
Psalms 121:7 in the Original Language
nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), 'soul' -- the living self, the whole person, the life that animates a body.
How to Apply Psalms 121:7 Today
This verse promises that no evil can finally undo the one God keeps, even while hardship still comes. Most tenderly of all, He guards our soul, the deepest self that belongs to Him. In Christ, who broke the last power of evil, that part of us is safe no matter what the road brings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 121:7
What does Psalms 121:7 mean?
God keeps watch over us through every harm, and most carefully of all He keeps our very soul.
What is the context of Psalms 121:7?
Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascents, and this verse comes near its close, after the psalm has named the LORD as the keeper who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The same word for "keep" runs through the whole song like a refrain.
How can I apply Psalms 121:7 today?
This verse promises that no evil can finally undo the one God keeps, even while hardship still comes. Most tenderly of all, He guards our soul, the deepest self that belongs to Him. In Christ, who broke the last power of evil, that part of us is safe no matter what the road brings.