Psalms 120: A Cry for Deliverance in a Hostile Land
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalms 120 is the first of fifteen psalms known as the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120—134). These psalms are believed to have been sung by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. The journey to Jerusalem was always an "ascent," both literally, as the city was situated on Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1), and spiritually, as it was a journey towards God's presence. Psalms 120 offers a poignant glimpse into the heart of a traveler, perhaps one unable to physically make the pilgrimage, longing for deliverance from a world steeped in deceit and conflict.
A Prayer for Rescue (Psalms 120:1-2)
The psalm opens with a direct and heartfelt cry to God: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me" (Psalms 120:1). This simple declaration reveals the psalmist's reliance on God in times of trouble. He doesn't elaborate on the nature of his distress initially, but his subsequent words make it clear that it stems from the deceitful and lying tongues surrounding him. He pleads, "Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue" (Psalms 120:2). The psalmist recognizes the destructive power of lies, an idea echoed throughout Scripture (Proverbs 6:16–17; 19:9; Romans 3:13; James 3:5–6). The fact that God answered his prayer provides a foundation of hope for all who seek refuge in Him. As Tony Evans notes, the Lord heard the psalmist's plea for rescue.
The Just Reward for Deceit (Psalms 120:3-4)
The psalmist then turns his attention to the source of his distress – the liars and deceivers. He poses a powerful, albeit somewhat enigmatic, question: "What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?" (Psalms 120:3). This can be interpreted in a few ways. Some see it as a question directed at the liar, asking what punishment they expect to receive. Others understand it as a question about the effect of lies on the Lord. Regardless of the exact interpretation, the underlying message is clear: deceit is a grave offense that warrants severe consequences. The psalmist continues by describing the punishment that awaits the deceitful: "A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals!" (Psalms 120:4). This vivid imagery speaks of the swift and painful judgment that will befall those who traffic in lies. The image of arrows suggests war and divine retribution, while burning coals evoke the intense pain and suffering that awaits the wicked (Psalms 5:6).
Dwelling Among Strife (Psalms 120:5-7)
The final verses of the psalm reveal the psalmist's geographical and spiritual isolation. He laments, "Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!" (Psalms 120:5). Meshech and Kedar were ancient peoples, likely located in the regions of modern-day Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula, respectively (Genesis 10:2; Genesis 25:13). More than just geographical locations, these names likely symbolize the psalmist's feeling of being surrounded by people who were far from God, as Tony Evans suggests. He feels like an alien in a foreign land, surrounded by a culture that is hostile to righteousness. The psalmist emphasizes his desire for peace: "I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalms 120:7). Despite his longing for harmony, he finds himself constantly embroiled in conflict. This contrast highlights the tension between the psalmist's inner desire for peace and the external reality of a world consumed by strife. The psalmist's experience resonates with believers today who often find themselves living in a world that opposes their values.
Psalms 120 is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of a hostile and deceitful world, we can always turn to God for deliverance. It encourages us to seek refuge in His truth and to strive for peace, even when surrounded by conflict. While the psalmist may have felt isolated and alone, his prayer demonstrates that he was never truly separated from the God who hears and answers the cries of His people. This psalm offers a message of hope and encouragement to all who long for a better world, a world where truth and peace prevail.
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalms 120 is the first of fifteen psalms known as the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120—134). These psalms are believed to have been sung by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. The journey to Jerusalem was always an "ascent," both literally, as the city was situated on Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1), and spiritually, as it was a journey towards God's presence. Psalms 120 offers a poignant glimpse into the heart of a traveler, perhaps one unable to physically make the pilgrimage, longing for deliverance from a world steeped in deceit and conflict.
A Prayer for Rescue (Psalms 120:1-2)
The psalm opens with a direct and heartfelt cry to God: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me" (Psalms 120:1). This simple declaration reveals the psalmist's reliance on God in times of trouble. He doesn't elaborate on the nature of his distress initially, but his subsequent words make it clear that it stems from the deceitful and lying tongues surrounding him. He pleads, "Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue" (Psalms 120:2). The psalmist recognizes the destructive power of lies, an idea echoed throughout Scripture (Proverbs 6:16–17; 19:9; Romans 3:13; James 3:5–6). The fact that God answered his prayer provides a foundation of hope for all who seek refuge in Him. As Tony Evans notes, the Lord heard the psalmist's plea for rescue.
The Just Reward for Deceit (Psalms 120:3-4)
The psalmist then turns his attention to the source of his distress – the liars and deceivers. He poses a powerful, albeit somewhat enigmatic, question: "What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?" (Psalms 120:3). This can be interpreted in a few ways. Some see it as a question directed at the liar, asking what punishment they expect to receive. Others understand it as a question about the effect of lies on the Lord. Regardless of the exact interpretation, the underlying message is clear: deceit is a grave offense that warrants severe consequences. The psalmist continues by describing the punishment that awaits the deceitful: "A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals!" (Psalms 120:4). This vivid imagery speaks of the swift and painful judgment that will befall those who traffic in lies. The image of arrows suggests war and divine retribution, while burning coals evoke the intense pain and suffering that awaits the wicked (Psalms 5:6).
Dwelling Among Strife (Psalms 120:5-7)
The final verses of the psalm reveal the psalmist's geographical and spiritual isolation. He laments, "Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!" (Psalms 120:5). Meshech and Kedar were ancient peoples, likely located in the regions of modern-day Turkey and the Arabian Peninsula, respectively (Genesis 10:2; Genesis 25:13). More than just geographical locations, these names likely symbolize the psalmist's feeling of being surrounded by people who were far from God, as Tony Evans suggests. He feels like an alien in a foreign land, surrounded by a culture that is hostile to righteousness. The psalmist emphasizes his desire for peace: "I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalms 120:7). Despite his longing for harmony, he finds himself constantly embroiled in conflict. This contrast highlights the tension between the psalmist's inner desire for peace and the external reality of a world consumed by strife. The psalmist's experience resonates with believers today who often find themselves living in a world that opposes their values.
Psalms 120 is a powerful reminder that even in the midst of a hostile and deceitful world, we can always turn to God for deliverance. It encourages us to seek refuge in His truth and to strive for peace, even when surrounded by conflict. While the psalmist may have felt isolated and alone, his prayer demonstrates that he was never truly separated from the God who hears and answers the cries of His people. This psalm offers a message of hope and encouragement to all who long for a better world, a world where truth and peace prevail.