Psalms — Chapter 120

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1In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

3What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

4Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

6My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

7I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

1In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.

2Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, [And] from a deceitful tongue.

3What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?

4Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.

5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6My soul hath long had her dwelling With him that hateth peace.

7I am [for] peace: But when I speak, they are for war. Psalm 121 A Song of Ascents.

1A song of ascents. In my distress I cried out to the Lord and he answered me.

2I said, “O Lord, rescue me from those who lie with their lips and those who deceive with their tongues.”

3How will he severely punish you, you deceptive talker?

4Here’s how! With the sharp arrows of warriors, with arrowheads forged over the hot coals.

5How miserable I am. For I have lived temporarily in Meshech; I have resided among the tents of Kedar.

6For too long I have had to reside with those who hate peace.

7I am committed to peace, but when I speak, they want to make war.

1In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.

2Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

3What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?

4Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

5Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace.

7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Ascents — a lament from one dwelling among hostile liars and warmongers: 'Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech'; the psalmist is for peace, but they are for war.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Song of Ascents / Individual Lament Attributed Author: Anonymous (superscription: "A Song of degrees/ascents") Key Themes: Deceitful speech, longing for peace among warlike people, the pain of living among the ungodly, crying to God in distress, spiritual exile
Historical Context: Psalm 120 is the first of fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), sung by pilgrims traveling UP to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles). "Ascents" refers to going UP to Jerusalem (which sits on a hill) or possibly the fifteen steps between temple courts. The collection moves thematically from distress (120) toward joy in God's house (134). Psalm 120 begins the journey in a place of exile — among liars and those who hate peace. The pilgrim longs for Jerusalem because his current dwelling (Meshech/ Kedar — representing distant, hostile lands) is filled with conflict. The journey to God's house begins with the recognition: I don't belong here.
Structure:
  • Cry to God in Distress (v.1)
  • Prayer Against Deceitful Speech (v.2)
  • Judgment on the False Tongue (vv.3-4)
  • Lament Over Living Among the Hostile (vv.5-7)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. The journey to God begins in distress (v.1). You don't start the pilgrimage from a place of comfort — you start because where you are is unbearable. Dissatisfaction with the present drives you toward God's presence.
  • 2. Deceitful speech wounds deeply (v.2). Living among liars and slanderers is soul-destroying. The tongue's damage is compared to arrows and burning coals. Guard against both being the target AND being the source.
  • 3. You may be for peace while others are for war (v.7). Being a peacemaker doesn't guarantee peace. Some people are committed to conflict. Your role is to BE peace, not to guarantee others will receive it.
  • 4. Not every environment is where you belong (v.5). If you feel like a stranger — surrounded by values, speech, and actions contrary to God — that discomfort is right. You're on pilgrimage. You haven't arrived yet.