# Overview Psalm 120 is the first of the fifteen Songs of Ascents, a collection of psalms sung by the Israelites as they journeyed to #Jerusalem for the three annual festivals. This psalm is a cry for deliverance from deceitful tongues and the hostility of those who surround the psalmist. It begins with the psalmist's earnest plea to the #Lord, expressing distress and the need for rescue from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. The psalmist asks what shall be given or done to the deceitful tongue, highlighting the destructive nature of falsehood and the desire for divine justice against such deceit. The latter part of the psalm conveys a sense of alienation and longing for peace in a hostile environment. The psalmist laments dwelling among #Meshech and the tents of #Kedar, symbolic of living among those who are warlike and contentious. These geographical references emphasize the psalmist's separation from the peace of #God and the community of believers. Despite this environment, the psalmist remains committed to seeking peace, contrasting his own desire for peace with the aggression of those around him, thus portraying a heart that yearns for the reconciliation and peace that only the #Lord can provide. ## Theological Insights Psalm 120 is the first of the fifteen **Songs of Ascents**, traditionally sung by #pilgrims as they journeyed to #Jerusalem for the annual feasts. This psalm captures the heart of someone distressed by deceit and longing for #peace, drawing attention to the human struggle against falsehood and the pursuit of divine truth. The psalmist begins by calling out to the Lord in their distress, highlighting a foundational theological theme: the #faithful can turn to God in times of trouble, trusting in His responsiveness and care (Psalm 120:1). This reliance on God's willingness to listen and act is a recurring theme throughout the #Psalms, emphasizing a personal relationship with the #Divine. The lament over deceitful tongues (Psalm 120:2-4) reflects the destructive power of lies and the pain they inflict. This ties back to the #TenCommandments, specifically the commandment against bearing false witness ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20]]), underscoring the biblical emphasis on truthfulness and integrity. The psalmist's plea for deliverance from lies serves as a reminder of God's nature as the God of #truth. The mention of #Meshech and #Kedar (Psalm 120:5) symbolizes places far removed from the psalmist's homeland, representing alienation and longing for peace. These references evoke a sense of being in a hostile environment, surrounded by those who do not share the psalmist’s values, which can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's experience in a world that often opposes God's ways. The desire for peace (Psalm 120:6-7) aligns with the biblical theme of #shalom, a comprehensive peace that encompasses well-being, harmony, and completeness. This longing for peace is consistent with other scriptural exhortations, such as Paul's call to live peaceably with all ([[Romans/Romans Chapter 12]]). The tension between the desire for peace and the reality of conflict reflects the Christian's experience of living in the "already-but-not-yet" tension of God’s kingdom. Overall, Psalm 120 provides theological insight into the nature of human distress in a fallen world, the yearning for God's peace, and the assurance that God hears and responds to the cries of His people. It encourages believers to maintain hope and integrity amidst trials, trusting in God's ultimate justice and peace. ## Thematic Connections ### Cry for Deliverance In Psalm 120, the psalmist's plea for deliverance from deceitful tongues is a recurring theme in the #Psalms. This echoes the cries for help found in other psalms, such as [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 18|Psalm 18]], where David calls upon the Lord in distress, and [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 57|Psalm 57]], where he seeks refuge from those who pursue him. The theme of seeking divine intervention against falsehood and oppression highlights the believer's reliance on God's justice and truth. ### The Power of Words The reference to deceitful tongues in Psalm 120 underscores the theme of the destructive power of words, a motif that appears throughout Scripture. Proverbs extensively addresses the impact of words, as seen in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 18|Proverbs 18:21]], which states that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." Similarly, [[James/James Chapter 3|James 3]] discusses the potential of the tongue to both bless and curse, drawing a thematic connection to the psalmist's lament over deceptive speech. ### Longing for Peace The psalmist's expression of dwelling among those who hate peace resonates with the larger biblical theme of longing for #peace in a world often filled with conflict. This desire is mirrored in the #Beatitudes, where Jesus declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers," in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5|Matthew 5:9]]. The tension between the pursuit of peace and the reality of strife is a common thread in both the Old and New Testaments. ### God's Righteous Judgment The psalmist's confidence in God's response to deceit and hostility is part of the broader biblical theme of God's righteous judgment. This assurance is reflected in other psalms, such as [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 7|Psalm 7]], where David entrusts his cause to God, the righteous judge. It also aligns with New Testament teachings, such as in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 12|Romans 12:19]], where believers are encouraged to leave vengeance to the Lord, trusting in His justice. ### Pilgrimage and Exile Psalm 120 is the first of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of psalms often associated with the pilgrimage to #Jerusalem. The sense of sojourning and longing for divine presence is a theme that resonates with the experiences of the #Israelites during the #Exodus and the #BabylonianExile. This motif is also echoed in the New Testament, where believers are described as "strangers and exiles on the earth" in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11|Hebrews 11:13]], emphasizing the journey towards the heavenly city. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### Deliverance from Deceitful Tongues In Psalm 120, the psalmist cries out for deliverance from lying lips and deceitful tongues. This plea for truth and justice resonates with the prophetic expectation of a future where deceit and falsehood are eradicated. The longing for divine intervention and truth finds fulfillment in the person of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who declared Himself as "the way, the truth, and the life" in [[John/John Chapter 14|John 14:6]]. The ultimate deliverance from deceit is realized through Christ, who embodies truth and promises liberation from the bondage of sin and falsehood. ### Peace in the Midst of Conflict The psalmist's lament over living among those who hate peace reflects a prophecy of the coming Prince of Peace, foretold in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 9|Isaiah 9:6-7]]. The longing for peace in a world of hostility is fulfilled in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who brings reconciliation and peace to humanity. His teachings, such as in the Beatitudes, emphasize peacemaking and the blessedness of those who pursue peace, fulfilling the desire for divine peace amidst conflict. Through Christ's redemptive work, believers experience the peace that surpasses understanding, as promised in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 4|Philippians 4:7]]. ### Judgment for Deceitful Practices The psalmist's call for judgment upon deceitful practices aligns with prophetic visions of God's righteous judgment against sin and falsehood. The expectation of divine retribution is fulfilled in both the first and second coming of Christ. In His earthly ministry, Jesus addressed and condemned the hypocrisy and deceit of religious leaders, as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 23|Matthew 23]]. The full realization of God's judgment will be evident in the final judgment, where Christ will separate the righteous from the wicked, as depicted in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 20|Revelation 20:11-15]]. ## Verses - **Psalm 120:1** - "I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer." - Note: The Psalmist expresses a personal testimony of the LORD's responsiveness to prayer. See also [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 34]] where David speaks of the LORD hearing the cries of the righteous. - **Psalm 120:2** - "Rescue me, O LORD, from liars and from all deceitful people." - Note: A plea for deliverance from deceit, similar to the cry for help in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 140]]. - **Psalm 120:3** - "O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you? How will he increase your punishment?" - Note: The Psalmist questions the fate of the deceitful, reminiscent of the judgment mentioned in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 19]]. - **Psalm 120:4** - "You will be pierced with sharp arrows and burned with glowing coals." - Note: Imagery of divine retribution, akin to the fate of the wicked in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 11]]. - **Psalm 120:5** - "How I suffer in far-off Meshech. It pains me to live in distant Kedar." - Note: The mention of #Meshech and #Kedar symbolizes living among hostile peoples, as seen in references to foreign lands in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 10]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 21]]. - **Psalm 120:6** - "I am tired of living among people who hate peace." - Note: The Psalmist's weariness echoes themes of peace and conflict found in [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 34]]. - **Psalm 120:7** - "I search for peace; but when I speak of peace, they want war!" - Note: The contrast between the desire for peace and the reality of conflict is also seen in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 6]].