The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalms‬ ‭121:7-8‬ ‭KJV

It’s important or at the least clarifying to know what words really mean when we apply the promises of God to our lives. Sometimes we have a general idea of what words mean because we use them & are able to use them in the right context. The specifics of them however, can still be vague.

In reading these verses we could just say, “OK God will preserve me, that means keep right?” Well kind of, but not really & if it did mean keep that could be defined too, it has depth. But preserve.

• to keep alive or in existence; make lasting: 

• to keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare.

• to keep up; maintain: 

• to keep possession of; retain: 

• to prepare so as to resist decomposition or fermentation.

• to prepare by cooking.
• to maintain and reserve for continued survival or for private use.

Trying with just the first definition:

• To keep alive or in existence; make lasting:

• • The LORD will keep me alive, in existence, make me lasting (sustain me) from all evil
  • He will do the same for my soul; keep my soul alive, in existence, make it lasting (sustain my soul)
  • My coming & going; He keeps me alive & in existence as I come & go, I will last (be sustained) as I come & go.

See the difference?

One more.

• To keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare
  • The LORD will keep me safe from harm or injury from all evil. The LORD will protect, spare me from all evil.
  • He will keep my soul safe from harm or injury. He will protect, spare my soul.
  • He will keep me safe from harm or injury as I come and go. He will protect, spare me as I come and go.

My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

I am preserved.