Psalms 120
Reading Time: Less than one minute Listen
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 120:1-7
Deliver Me, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
1In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
3What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 120:1-7
Psalm 120
A song of ascents.
1I call on the Lord in my distress,
and he answers me.
2Save me, Lord,
from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.
3What will he do to you,
and what more besides,
you deceitful tongue?
4He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom bush.
5Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
7I am for peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
You know the feeling. The pain, the sense of injustice, when someone has done you wrong. Their lies and insinuations have cut deep.
So you come to God in your troubles and the turmoil in your soul spills over into your prayers.
Psalm 120 is the first of fifteen consecutive “ascent” psalm sung by worshippers as they ascended the seven plus eight (15 total) steps through the gates into the temple courtyards in Jerusalem. Later, these psalms were also recited by the exiles returning from Babylon.
You seek peace but others stir up conflict. Their lies pierce like arrows and burn like hot coals. What can you do?
Why turn to God when others attack you? In past distress, you have cried out to the Lord and He has answered. Your heart declares, “I must tell Jesus all of my trials” so you commit your case to the Lord.
“Have a little talk with Jesus; tell Him all about your troubles.” Pour out your heart to God in prayer. He listens. He cares. He will be there for you just as He was in the past.
Glenn Russell
Professor Emeritus,Department of Religion, Andrews University, Michigan USA
