Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Psalms 120
Psalm 120:1In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.
This opening verse establishes the foundation of the psalmist's faith: past experience has proven that when they call out in distress, God listens and responds.Psalm 120:2Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
Here, the specific source of the psalmist's pain is identified as verbal attack - the poison of lies and slander from which they desperately need rescue.Psalm 120:7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
This final verse captures the heart of the psalmist's struggle, highlighting the painful contrast between their own desire for peace and the warlike nature of their community.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Pilgrim's Journey Begins in Distress
This psalm kicks off the 'Songs of Ascents' (Psalms 120-134), a special collection of songs for pilgrims heading to worship in Jerusalem. Instead of starting with a cheerful travel song, the journey begins from a place of deep distress. The psalmist feels far from home, physically and spiritually, surrounded by a culture of deceit and hostility. This starting point makes the pilgrimage a true journey from darkness toward light, from conflict toward the peace of God's presence.
An Exile in a Hostile Land
The psalmist uses powerful metaphors to describe this feeling of alienation, mentioning 'Meshech' and 'Kedar.' These were real, remote places known for their warlike people, far from the safety of Israel. By saying 'Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,' the writer is not giving a literal travel update. They are expressing a deep sense of being an outsider trapped among people whose values are completely opposed to their own desire for peace and truth.
A Breakdown of Psalm 120
Psalm 120 unfolds as a desperate but faith-filled prayer. The scene is set within the heart of the psalmist, who is emotionally and spiritually exhausted from living in a toxic environment. The psalm moves from a confident appeal based on past deliverance to a description of the coming judgment on liars, and finally to a lament over the present, painful reality of living among warmongers.
The Confident Appeal (Psalm 120:1-2)
1 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
Commentary:
The psalmist confidently cries out to God for rescue from the pain of lies, remembering God's past faithfulness.
The Judgment on Lies (Psalm 120:3-4)
3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?
4 sharp arrows of the warrior, with glowing coals of the broom tree.
Commentary:
The psalmist declares that God's judgment on deceitful words will be swift, sharp, and consuming, like a warrior's arrows and burning coals.
The Lament of the Peacemaker (Psalm 120:5-7)
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
Commentary:
Feeling like an exile among violent people, the psalmist grieves being surrounded by those who reject peace and embrace conflict.
Truth, Peace, and a God Who Hears
God Hears the Distressed
The psalm's opening line is its anchor: God listens to those in distress. This is not wishful thinking. It is a foundational belief that empowers the psalmist to be honest about their pain. It teaches that prayer is our direct line to God, especially when we feel overwhelmed and alone.
The Gravity of Deceitful Words
This psalm takes words very seriously, portraying lies and slander not as minor offenses but as destructive weapons deserving of severe judgment. It reminds us that our words have the power to build up or tear down, and God, as the ultimate source of truth, holds us accountable for them.
The Longing for Shalom
The psalmist's cry reveals a deep yearning for 'shalom' - a Hebrew concept meaning the absence of conflict, complete well-being, wholeness, and harmony. Living among those who 'hate peace' is spiritually exhausting because it is the opposite of the world God intends. This theme reflects our own innate desire for a community of safety, truth, and genuine peace.
Finding God in a World of Conflict
Psalm 120 encourages you to bring your hurt directly to God before doing anything else. Instead of getting caught in a cycle of retaliation, you can follow the psalmist's lead by calling on the Lord for deliverance (v. 2). Trusting Him to be your defender allows you to find stability when the words of others feel destabilizing.
Being 'for peace,' as described in verse 7, is an active stance. It means you intentionally choose de-escalation, honest communication, and reconciliation, even when those around you thrive on drama and conflict. It doesn't guarantee others will respond peacefully, but it means your actions and words are aligned with God's character.
This psalm shows that feeling like an outsider can drive you closer to God, who becomes your true home. When your workplace, community, or even family feels like 'Meshech' or 'Kedar' (v. 5), you can find solidarity and comfort in your relationship with Him. Your ultimate belonging is not defined by cultural acceptance but by your identity as a child of God.
God Hears from a Hostile World
Psalm 120 shows that the journey to God often begins in a place of pain. It gives us permission to be honest about the hurt caused by a hostile world, particularly the wounds inflicted by lies and conflict. The core message is one of deep hope: even when you feel like a lonely peacemaker in a land of warriors, your cry for help does not go unheard. God is your refuge, your defender, and the ultimate source of the peace you long for.
What This Means for Us Today
This psalm validates the pain of feeling like an outsider and gives us a language for our lament. It invites us to begin our own journey toward God not by pretending everything is fine, but by honestly crying out from our distress. God meets us right where we are, in our own 'Meshech' and 'Kedar,' and promises to hear us.
- What 'deceitful tongues' or sources of conflict are causing you distress right now?
- How can you actively be 'for peace' this week, even if it is not reciprocated?
- In what area of your life do you need to trust that God has heard your call for help?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This preceding psalm is a beautiful, lengthy meditation on the perfection of God's law, which provides the standard of truth the psalmist in Psalm 120 is desperate for.
The next Song of Ascents shifts the focus from the problem of earthly conflict to the solution of divine help, confidently stating, 'I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord.'
Connections Across Scripture
This passage provides a powerful New Testament commentary on the 'deceitful tongue,' describing its destructive power as a fire that can set a whole life ablaze.
Jesus's teaching, 'Blessed are the peacemakers,' offers a profound encouragement for those who, like the psalmist, find themselves 'for peace' in a world that is 'for war.'
Peter encourages believers to live as 'sojourners and exiles' in the world, which resonates with the psalmist's feeling of being an outsider in Meshech and Kedar.
Discussion Questions
- When have you felt like the psalmist, surrounded by conflict or misunderstanding? How does this psalm encourage you to respond differently in the future?
- Psalm 120:3-4 describes a harsh judgment for a 'deceitful tongue.' Why do you think the Bible treats malicious words so seriously, and how does that challenge us today?
- The psalmist longs for a community of peace. What are some practical ways we can create and contribute to a 'Kedar'-free zone - a place of peace and truth - in our own relationships and communities?