Psalms 121 in the early church
110 passages quote, allude to, or echo Psalms 121, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8
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Psalms 121:1
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | PG 12:1627 (Ps 119–120 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Homilies on Joshua 1.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.205 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 43 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Fragment on Job, no. 2 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Ps 121:1–2 (120:1-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 51.20 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.2 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:1–2 (120:1-Ps Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.5 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 146.9 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 Vulg.) | Question 111, section 6 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Letter 7.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Letter 121.4 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 121:1–8 (120:1-Ps LXX) | Psalm 120 · Apollinaris of Laodicea | quotation, high confidence | uncertain (fourth to sixth century) |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 19.2.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 121:1–2 (120:1-Ps LXX) | Letter 25.2 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 121:1–2 (120:1-Ps LXX) | Sermon 46.16 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:1–2 (120:1-Ps LXX) | Sermon 46.25 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:1–2 (120:1-Ps Vulg.) | Sermon 155.8 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 Vulg.) | Letters 4.2 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 Vulg.) | Letters 9.4 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 Vulg.) | Letters 12.4 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 Vulg.) | Letters 40.4 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 1.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 1.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 4.11 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
Psalms 121:2
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Against Heresies 3.10.3 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Against Heresies 4.2.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | PG 12:1627 (Ps 119–120 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.10 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 19.2.2 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Homily 2 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 Vulg.) | Sermon 358.3 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 Vulg.) | Sermon 389.2 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, low confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 Vulg.) | Letters 4.2 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 Vulg.) | Letters 9.4 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 1.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 1.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 4.11 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 6.26 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, low confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 121:2 (120:2 LXX) | On Faith and Works 21 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 413 |
Psalms 121:3
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:3 (120:3 LXX) | PG 12:1627 (Ps 119–120 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 121:3 (120:3 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.6 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:3 (120:3 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.8 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:3 (120:3 LXX) | Homily 7 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 379–394 |
| Ps 121:3 (120:3 Vulg.) | Against Faustus the Manichaean 12.13 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, low confidence | ca. 398–400 |
Psalms 121:4
Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Fragments on Luke, column 353 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Commentary on John 20.320 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Homily on Luke 34 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 233–250 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Address of Thanksgiving 17 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | echo, low confidence | ca. 238–245 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 90 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Ps 121:4 | Demonstration 13.10 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Homilies on the Psalms 29.2 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 118.4.7 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.10 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:4 | Hexaemeron 7.5 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Letter 75.5 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Letter 109.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Ancoratus 31.2 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Liber Orsiesii 17 · Orsiesius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 8.53.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Letter 186.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Ps 121:4–7 (120:4-Ps LXX) | Homily 12 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Sermon 47.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Sermon 105.9 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Sermon 171.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Sermon 262.4 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Sermon 297.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Letters 49.6 · Paulinus of Nola | echo, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Confessions 10.52 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Tractates on the Gospel of John 43.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 406–420 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Commentary on Jeremiah 3.30 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 414-419 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | The Institutes 8.3 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–426 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Sermon 21 · Peter Chrysologus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Sermon 97 · Peter Chrysologus | allusion, low confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Book 3, lines 50–75 · Sedulius | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 LXX) | Book 3, section 6 · Sedulius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Instructions 1.54 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, high confidence | ca. 428-434 |
| Ps 121:4 | Celestine, ACO I.2, letter 25.12 · Celestine I, bishop of Rome | allusion, high confidence | 430-432 |
| Ps 121:4 (120:4 Vulg.) | Letter 3, chapter 5 · Sixtus III, bishop of Rome | allusion, high confidence | 432–440 |
Psalms 121:5
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:5 (120:5 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.11 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Psalms 121:6
The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | PG 12:1627 (Ps 119–120 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Commentary on the Song of Songs 2.129 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.176 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Homily on the Song of Songs 2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–250 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.1 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.12 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.13 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 147.5 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 Vulg.) | Question 107, section 5 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Letter 52.13 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 4.19.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Exposition of Psalm 118 8.7.2 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Hexameron (Exameron) 3.52 · Ambrose | allusion, low confidence | ca. 387-390 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Homily 2 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 Vulg.) | Sermon 366.8 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 Vulg.) | Letters 5.18 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Ps 121:6 (120:6 LXX) | Homilies on the First Epistle of John 1.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 407 |
Psalms 121:7
The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:7 (120:7 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.15 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
Psalms 121:8
The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 LXX) | PG 12:1627 (Ps 119–120 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 LXX) | Homily on Isaiah 4 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 LXX) | Catechetical Lecture 17.37 · Cyril of Jerusalem | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 350 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 Vulg.) | Tractates on the Psalms 120.16 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 LXX) | Apostolic Constitutions 8.6.6 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 LXX) | Apostolic Constitutions 8.15.7 · Anonymous | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 Vulg.) | Chapter 14 · Nicetas, bishop of Remesiana | allusion, high confidence | ca. 380–414 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 LXX) | Homily 12 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 Vulg.) | Sermon 15.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 Vulg.) | Sermon 256.3 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Ps 121:8 (120:8 Vulg.) | Letters 5.18 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |