Psalm 121 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 121
The Keeper who never sleeps
Verse 121:1 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:1] A song for the ascents.
I lift my eyes to the mountains.
From where will my help come?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:1] A song of the ascents.
I lifted my eyes to the mountains.
From where will my help come?
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew for the ascents and Greek of the ascents differ slightly; Hebrew lifting is presented as present resolve, Greek as completed action. The mountain clause is not made an answer to the following question.
Verse 121:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:2] My help is from YHWH,
Maker of heaven and earth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:2] My help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The Creator supplies help in both; the divine-name forms follow their respective sources.
Verse 121:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:3] May He not let your foot slip;
may your Keeper not slumber.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:3] Do not give your foot over to shaking,
and may your Keeper not slumber.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew the giving subject is third person, understood as the Keeper; Greek the first prohibition addresses you in the second person. The second clause is a wish in both, not flattened into verse four’s assurance.
Verse 121:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:4] Look, the Keeper of Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:4] Look, the One guarding Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The same assurance that Israel’s Keeper does not sleep is expressed in both.
Verse 121:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:5] YHWH is your Keeper;
YHWH is your shade at your right hand.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:5] The Lord will guard you;
the Lord is your shelter at your right hand.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew names the Keeper and shade; Greek gives future guarding and shelter.
Verse 121:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:6] By day the sun will not strike you,
nor the moon by night.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:6] By day the sun will not scorch you,
nor the moon by night.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Greek specifies scorching where Hebrew more generally says striking; the moon clause remains as printed without a speculative medical explanation.
Verse 121:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:7] YHWH will keep you from all evil;
He will keep your life.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:7] The Lord will guard you from all evil;
He will guard your soul.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew nephesh and Greek psyche are rendered life and soul within the same promise of protection, without asserting an ontological disagreement.
Verse 121:8 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[121:8] YHWH will keep your going out and your coming in,
from now and forever.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[120:8] The Lord will guard your coming in and your going out,
from now and forever.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: The two movements occur in reversed order: Hebrew going out then coming in; Greek coming in then going out. Both are retained once.