What is Psalm 120 about?

Psalm 120 is a fascinating and deeply poignant piece of scripture that begins the collection known as the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134). These psalms were likely sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the major festivals. Psalm 120, in particular, sets a tone of lament and plea, reflecting the psalmist's distress and yearning for divine intervention in a world rife with deceit and hostility.

The psalm opens with a cry for help: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me" (Psalm 120:1, ESV). This immediate acknowledgment of God's responsiveness sets a hopeful tone, even amid the psalmist's anguish. It underscores a foundational belief in the faithfulness of God to hear and respond to the cries of His people. This opening verse also serves as a personal testimony of God's past faithfulness, which provides a basis for the psalmist's current plea.

The distress that the psalmist speaks of is further elaborated in the subsequent verses. "Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue" (Psalm 120:2, ESV). Here, we see the specific nature of the psalmist's suffering: he is surrounded by deceit and falsehood. The anguish of being ensnared by lies and deceit is a timeless human experience. The pain caused by false accusations or malicious gossip can be deeply wounding and isolating. The psalmist's plea for deliverance is not just a request for relief from personal suffering but also a cry for justice and truth to prevail.

The next verses, "What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!" (Psalm 120:3-4, ESV), depict the severity of the consequences that await the deceitful. The imagery of sharp arrows and burning coals conveys a sense of impending judgment and retribution. This can be seen as a reflection of the psalmist's confidence in divine justice. The psalmist believes that those who perpetuate lies and deceit will ultimately face God's righteous judgment.

Psalm 120 then shifts to a personal lament about the psalmist's living conditions: "Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!" (Psalm 120:5, ESV). Meshech and Kedar were distant, foreign places known for their warlike and hostile inhabitants. By mentioning these locations, the psalmist expresses a feeling of alienation and estrangement. He feels like a stranger in a hostile land, surrounded by people who do not share his values or seek peace. This sense of alienation can resonate with anyone who has felt out of place or surrounded by hostility.

The concluding verses, "Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!" (Psalm 120:6-7, ESV), highlight the psalmist's desire for peace in contrast to the belligerence of those around him. The psalmist's advocacy for peace, despite the warmongering environment, underscores a commitment to godly principles even in adverse circumstances. This contrast between the psalmist's peaceful intentions and the surrounding hostility emphasizes the tension and struggle of living righteously in a fallen world.

Psalm 120, therefore, serves as a powerful expression of the believer's struggle against deceit, injustice, and hostility. It is a reminder that, in times of distress, we can call upon the Lord, who is faithful to hear and respond. The psalm also reassures us that God's justice will ultimately prevail against falsehood and wickedness. This psalm encourages believers to maintain their commitment to peace and righteousness, even when surrounded by hostility and deceit.

The themes in Psalm 120 are echoed throughout Scripture. For instance, the New Testament also addresses the issue of deceit and the believer's response to it. In Ephesians 4:25, Paul urges believers to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth with his neighbor." Similarly, Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, blesses the peacemakers, saying, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9, ESV). These passages reinforce the call to live truthfully and peaceably, even in challenging circumstances.

Moreover, Psalm 120's cry for deliverance from deceitful tongues finds resonance in the prayers of other biblical figures. King David, for example, frequently prayed for deliverance from his enemies who used deceit and slander against him. In Psalm 31:18, David prays, "Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt." This shared experience of suffering due to deceit and the subsequent appeal to God for justice and deliverance is a common thread that runs through the Psalms.

The imagery of judgment in Psalm 120, with the sharp arrows and burning coals, also finds parallels in other biblical texts. Proverbs 25:18 compares a deceitful person to "a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow." The imagery of burning coals is used in Isaiah 6:6-7, where a seraphim touches Isaiah's lips with a burning coal to purify him. While the context is different, the use of burning coals as a symbol of purification and judgment is consistent.

Psalm 120's expression of alienation and the desire for peace amidst hostility can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament's depiction of Christians as "sojourners and exiles" in the world (1 Peter 2:11, ESV). The sense of not belonging and the yearning for a peaceful, righteous environment is a recurring theme in the Christian journey. The psalmist's experience mirrors the believer's experience of living in a world that often opposes godly values.

In Christian literature, the themes of Psalm 120 have been explored and expanded upon. For instance, in "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan, the protagonist, Christian, faces deceit and hostility on his journey to the Celestial City. Bunyan's allegory reflects the struggle of maintaining faith and integrity in a world that is often antagonistic to the believer's values. Similarly, C.S. Lewis, in "The Screwtape Letters," highlights the subtlety of deceit and the importance of vigilance and prayer in resisting the devil's schemes.

In conclusion, Psalm 120 is a rich and multifaceted psalm that addresses the believer's distress in the face of deceit and hostility. It is a heartfelt plea for divine intervention and a confident assertion of God's justice. The psalm encourages believers to remain committed to truth and peace, even when surrounded by falsehood and conflict. Its themes resonate throughout Scripture and Christian literature, offering timeless wisdom and comfort to those who seek to live righteously in a fallen world.