Psalms 120
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Psalms 120
In My Distress I Cried Unto the LORD
1In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
The Pulpit Commentary
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. The particular "distress' intended can only be conjectured. Some suppose it to be the Captivity itself, others the opposition offered by the Samaritans, Ammonites, and others to the rebuilding of the temple (Ezr_4:1-24; Ezr_5:1-17.) and restoration of the wails of Jerusalem (Neh_2:19, Neh_2:20; Neh_4:1-23; Neh_6:2-14). But these guesses are scarcely of much value.
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. The particular "distress' intended can only be conjectured. Some suppose it to be the Captivity itself, others the opposition offered by the Samaritans, Ammonites, and others to the rebuilding of the temple (Ezr_4:1-24; Ezr_5:1-17.) and restoration of the wails of Jerusalem (Neh_2:19, Neh_2:20; Neh_4:1-23; Neh_6:2-14). But these guesses are scarcely of much value.
2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 120
Psa 120:1-7. This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Psa 121:1--literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It seems most probable they were designed for the use of the people when going up (compare 1Ki 12:27, 28) to Jerusalem on the festival occasions (De 16:16), three times a year. David appears as the author of four, Solomon of one (Psa 127:1), and the other ten are anonymous, probably composed after the captivity. In this Psalm the writer acknowledges God's mercy, prays for relief from a malicious foe, whose punishment he anticipates, and then repeats his complaint.
2-3. Slander and deceit charged on his foes implies his innocence.
tongue--as in Psa 52:2, 4.
PSALM 120
Psa 120:1-7. This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Psa 121:1--literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It seems most probable they were designed for the use of the people when going up (compare 1Ki 12:27, 28) to Jerusalem on the festival occasions (De 16:16), three times a year. David appears as the author of four, Solomon of one (Psa 127:1), and the other ten are anonymous, probably composed after the captivity. In this Psalm the writer acknowledges God's mercy, prays for relief from a malicious foe, whose punishment he anticipates, and then repeats his complaint.
2-3. Slander and deceit charged on his foes implies his innocence.
tongue--as in Psa 52:2, 4.
The Pulpit Commentary
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips. Such as Sanballat's (—Neh_6:6-8). And from a deceitful tongue; literally, a tongue that is fraud—a mere variant of the expression in the preceding clause.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips. Such as Sanballat's (—Neh_6:6-8). And from a deceitful tongue; literally, a tongue that is fraud—a mere variant of the expression in the preceding clause.
3What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
The Pulpit Commentary
What shall be given unto thee? rather, what shall he (i.e. God) give to thee? Or, in other words—What punishment will God inflict on thee for thy false speaking? Or what shall be done unto thee? literally, or what shall he add to thee? Compare the common phrase, "God do so unto me, and more also" (1Sa_3:17; 1Sa_14:44). Thou false tongue. The "false tongue" is apostrophized, as if it were a living person.
What shall be given unto thee? rather, what shall he (i.e. God) give to thee? Or, in other words—What punishment will God inflict on thee for thy false speaking? Or what shall be done unto thee? literally, or what shall he add to thee? Compare the common phrase, "God do so unto me, and more also" (1Sa_3:17; 1Sa_14:44). Thou false tongue. The "false tongue" is apostrophized, as if it were a living person.
4Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. Sharp arrows of the mighty--destructive inflictions.
coals of juniper--which retain heat long. This verse may be read as a description of the wicked, but better as their punishment, in reply to the question of Psa 120:3.
4. Sharp arrows of the mighty--destructive inflictions.
coals of juniper--which retain heat long. This verse may be read as a description of the wicked, but better as their punishment, in reply to the question of Psa 120:3.
The Pulpit Commentary
Sharp arrows of the mighty. The psalmist answers his own questions. Sharp-pointed arrows of a Mighty One shall be given thee, and added to them shall be coals of juniper. God, i.e; shall punish thee with extreme severity.
Sharp arrows of the mighty. The psalmist answers his own questions. Sharp-pointed arrows of a Mighty One shall be given thee, and added to them shall be coals of juniper. God, i.e; shall punish thee with extreme severity.
5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. A residence in these remote lands pictures his miserable condition.
5. A residence in these remote lands pictures his miserable condition.
The Pulpit Commentary
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech. This is scarcely to be understood literally. Israel never "sojourned in Mesech," i.e. among the Moschi, who dwelt in Cappadocia, nor dwelt among the tents of Kedar, a people of Northern Arabia. The writer means that he dwells among hostile and barbarous people, who are to him as Kedar and Mesech. Possibly the Samaritans and Ammonites are intended. That I dwell in the tents of Kedar; rather, among the tents (see the Revised Version).
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech. This is scarcely to be understood literally. Israel never "sojourned in Mesech," i.e. among the Moschi, who dwelt in Cappadocia, nor dwelt among the tents of Kedar, a people of Northern Arabia. The writer means that he dwells among hostile and barbarous people, who are to him as Kedar and Mesech. Possibly the Samaritans and Ammonites are intended. That I dwell in the tents of Kedar; rather, among the tents (see the Revised Version).
6My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6-7. While those who surrounded him were maliciously hostile, he was disposed to peace. This Psalm may well begin such a series as this, as a contrast to the promised joys of God's worship.
6-7. While those who surrounded him were maliciously hostile, he was disposed to peace. This Psalm may well begin such a series as this, as a contrast to the promised joys of God's worship.
The Pulpit Commentary
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace; i.e. with the tribes symbolized in the preceding verse by the names "Mesech" and "Kedar," the tribes bordering upon Judea. These were from first to last almost always at war with Israel.
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace; i.e. with the tribes symbolized in the preceding verse by the names "Mesech" and "Kedar," the tribes bordering upon Judea. These were from first to last almost always at war with Israel.
7I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
The Pulpit Commentary
I am for peace; literally, I am peace; but the meaning is as given in the Authorized Version. But when I speak (i.e. when I speak to them of peace), they are for war; i.e. they are utterly averse to peace, and are bent on continual hostility. The general history bears out this statement. There is only one apparent exception. When the Jews returned from the Captivity and began to build the temple, the Samaritans offered to join with them (Ezr_4:2). But the Samaritan offer was, perhaps, insincere. At any rate, when it was refused, they became the most bitter opponents of the Jews.
I am for peace; literally, I am peace; but the meaning is as given in the Authorized Version. But when I speak (i.e. when I speak to them of peace), they are for war; i.e. they are utterly averse to peace, and are bent on continual hostility. The general history bears out this statement. There is only one apparent exception. When the Jews returned from the Captivity and began to build the temple, the Samaritans offered to join with them (Ezr_4:2). But the Samaritan offer was, perhaps, insincere. At any rate, when it was refused, they became the most bitter opponents of the Jews.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 120
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
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