Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Themes 1 ▾
Prayer 1
People 1 ▾
Kedar Patriarchal 5
Historic voices 5 ▾
Summa Theologica 1× 1 Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews 1× 3-4 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-6 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1, 5 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1, 5
Manuscript witnesses 5 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Codex Alexandrinus A c. AD 400-440 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 53 ▾
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What is Psalms 120 about?

With the great Torah psalm behind them, the pilgrims begin the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120–134), sung on the way up to Jerusalem for the feasts. The first is a cry of distress from a sojourner far off among hostile peoples — in Mesech and the tents of Kedar — surrounded by lying lips and those who hate peace. He is for peace, yet when he speaks they are for war, and he looks to the LORD to deliver him. Setting out from exile and enmity, the pilgrim's heart is already turning homeward toward the LORD's dwelling.

Historical backdrop

These are the songbook of a nation, sung across a thousand years of Israel's worship, from Moses in the wilderness to the exiles returned from Babylon. They were carried from the tabernacle to Solomon's temple to the second temple rebuilt under Persia, set to the lyre and the harp and the clash of cymbals in the courts of the LORD.

Matthew Henry on Psalms 120
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 120
The Church Fathers on Psalms 120

Psalms 120

Psalms Chapter 120
120
1In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.
2Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, Andfrom 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 amforpeace: But when I speak, they are for war.
← Chapter 119 Chapter 121 →
What is Psalms 120 about?

With the great Torah psalm behind them, the pilgrims begin the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120–134), sung on the way up to Jerusalem for the feasts. The first is a cry of distress from a sojourner far off among hostile peoples — in Mesech and the tents of Kedar — surrounded by lying lips and those who hate peace. He is for peace, yet when he speaks they are for war, and he looks to the LORD to deliver him. Setting out from exile and enmity, the pilgrim's heart is already turning homeward toward the LORD's dwelling.