Texts from their published editions. Guidance on what this tradition does at this moment is on the occasion page, and background on the tradition is at /traditions/jewish.
Texts from their published editions
Each text below was transcribed from the edition named under it and checked twice, independently, against that edition. Where the two transcriptions disagreed by even one character, the text is not shown here. That is a claim about wording only: these are not selected or endorsed for any particular situation, and nobody credentialed in the tradition has signed them. Older spelling is kept as the edition prints it.
Psalm 121 (JPS 1917)
One of the Songs of Ascents, a short psalm of protection for one setting out or in danger. Used in Jewish practice at times of travel, illness and childbirth, and included in some funeral and memorial orders. Often paired with Psalm 130 in visits to the sick.
English · The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic Text (JPS), 1917
I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:
From whence shall my help come?
My help cometh from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved;
He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, He that keepeth Israel
Doth neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is thy keeper;
The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall keep thee from all evil;
He shall keep thy soul.
The LORD shall guard thy going out and thy coming in,
From this time forth and for ever.
Jewish Publication Society of America, 1917. Published 1917, before 1929, US public domain. Source
Psalm 121 (Singer 1890)
One of the Songs of Ascents, a short psalm of protection for one setting out or in danger. Used in Jewish practice at times of travel, illness and childbirth, and included in some funeral and memorial orders. Often paired with Psalm 130 in visits to the sick.
English · The Authorised Daily Prayer Book, with a New Translation, 1890
I lift up mine eyes unto the hills : whence will my help come ?
My help is from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to slip : he that guardeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that guardeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy guardian : the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall guard thee from all evil ; he shall guard thy soul.
The Lord shall guard thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth and for evermore.
Simeon Singer. Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1890. Published 1890, before 1929, US public domain, and the translator died in 1906, so it is also clear in life-plus-70 jurisdictions. Source
The Traveller's Prayer (Singer 1890)
The Traveller's Prayer (Singer 1890), as it appears in the edition cited below.
English · The Authorised Daily Prayer Book, with a New Translation, 1890
May it be thy will, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, to conduct us in peace, to direct our steps in peace, to uphold us in peace, and to lead us in life, joy and peace unto the haven of our desire. O deliver us from every enemy, ambush and hurt by the way, and from all afflictions that visit and trouble the world. Send a blessing upon the work of our hands. Let us obtain grace, lovingkindness and mercy in thine eyes and in the eyes of all who behold us. Hearken to the voice of our supplications; for thou art a God who hearkenest unto prayer and supplication. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who hearkenest unto prayer.
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is the camp of God : and he called the name of that place Mahanaim (a double camp). Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee by the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee : the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the Lord turn his face unto thee, and give thee peace.
Simeon Singer. Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1890. Published 1890, before 1929, US public domain, and the translator died in 1906, so it is also clear in life-plus-70 jurisdictions. Source
Wording and scope vary between editions and between communities, so this entry is tied to one named edition and makes no claim about which form is right in a given setting.
Nothing here has been signed by a reviewer credentialed in this tradition. When that happens, reviewed prayers appear above these, and these stay where they are, as an anthology. How that works.