What Does Psalm 121:4 Mean in the King James?

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

Psalm 121:4 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The keeping described here is an unbroken watch: the one who guards Israel never loses awareness.

THE MEANING

The one who watches over Israel does not drift out of attention; neither slumber nor sleep interrupts his keeping. That watch holds even through your vulnerability now.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that your safety depends on your staying alert: the keeper’s watch does not depend on your vigilance.

THE ROOT

שֹׁמֵר

shomer

GROWS FROM

שמר

sh-m-r

To guard, watch over, or keep.

“keepeth” in this verse is shomer. English “keep” can sound like simply maintaining something, but ⁨שָׁמַר⁩ (shamar) carries the sense of guarding and watching over it. Here the watcher remains attentive through the very hours when people sleep.

ALSO GROWS

shemirah: Guarding, keeping, or protection.

שְׁמִירָה

This branch names the act of guarding itself, showing that Israel is held by ongoing attention.

mishmeret: A charge, guard duty, or watch.

מִשְׁמֶרֶת

A watch is a responsibility held across time; here that watch has no gap for slumber.

THE PATTERN

The keeper’s watch does not lapse when those being kept cannot stay alert.

A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Psalm 127:1 · KJVThe city watchman stays awake, yet the city’s keeping rests on the LORD’s watch.

I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.

Isaiah 27:3 · KJVThe LORD describes keeping as continuous care, extending through every moment and through both night and day.

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 · KJVThe Lord’s keeping remains active as he establishes and guards those who are vulnerable.

THE THREAD

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalm 121:3 · KJV

The same root, ⁨שָׁמַר⁩ (shamar), meaning to guard or watch over, first names the keeping of you and then of Israel. The next verse widens the view: this watch holds an individual and a whole people without interruption.

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