Psalms Reading – 4.25.2022
Psalm 120
A song of ascents.
1 I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.
2 Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.
5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalms 120-134 are commonly called the “songs of ascents” as they were sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for one of the major festivals. According to the Old Testament, Jerusalem is always “up,” regardless of the actual elevation of the starting point. There is no certain route that is mentioned, rather the songs focus on the destination of Zion/Jerusalem.
Psalm 120 speaks of a believer who is in exile. Verses 1-2 begin with a prayer for deliverance from those who attack with their words. Verses 3-4 describe the judgment for such persons, and verses 5-7 conclude with a lament stating his separation and desire for peace.
The most common opponent we have found in Psalms is the tongue. In Psalm 5:9, David said, “Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.”
Bearing false witness against someone was especially evil because there were few ways to vindicate one’s claims and reputation. Consequently, the Bible addresses this topic frequently and even does so in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:16, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
The wood from the broom brush created quality charcoal which made for lasting fires. It was a convenient source of fuel in the desert. We may remember that Elijah slept under a broom bush in the desert and ate a meal likely prepared over the coals from a broom bush (1 Kings 19:4–6).
The psalmist states the impossible. He says he lives in Meshek which is in modern Turkey, and Kedar which is in Arabia. Obviously, the psalmist cannot be in both places at the same time. He is poetically making the point that these faraway places in opposite direction of one another refer to the vast alienation that God’s worshiping community was experiencing being separated from Zion.
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom which is part of the word for Jerusalem. For him, to be at home in Jerusalem in the presence of God was to be at peace. The same is true for us. When we are at home in Christ Jesus, we can be at peace within ourselves regardless of our circumstances.
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Memory Verse: Psalm 121:1-2, I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Question(s) to Consider: When do you feel far away from the Lord? How will you welcome the peace of Jesus into your life?