The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 120
In brief
Psalm 120 opens the series of fifteen songs of ascents (Psalms 120 to 134), sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. The psalmist is in distress, far from home, surrounded by lies. He cries to the Lord, who answers him, and asks to be delivered from the deceitful tongue. He laments living in Meshech and Kedar, among those who hate peace. He is for peace, but as soon as he speaks, the others want war.
The chapter in 3 parts
1In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.
2Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
3What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?
4Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace.
7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
Key verses
In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.
The verse sums up an experience of faith: he cried out, and God answered. It is a starting point from which to go up toward him.
Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
A false word wounds like a weapon. The psalmist asks God to deliver him from slander and deceit.
Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace.
Meshech and Kedar stand for distant, rough peoples. It is an image of exile, of what it is like to live a long time among hostile people.
I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
The psalmist describes himself as a man of peace who runs into hostility. The psalm does not resolve the tension, it carries it before God.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 120
What does Psalm 120 mean?
Psalm 120 is the prayer of a man in distress, a victim of lies who lives among people who hate peace. He cries to the Lord, asks to be delivered from the deceitful tongue and says how much he longs for peace. It is the first of the songs of ascents, which accompany the climb to Jerusalem.
Who wrote Psalm 120?
The title names no author, it only says it is a song of ascents. We do not know who wrote it. These fifteen psalms were probably sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the festivals. Others, like Psalm 122, are attributed to David.
How do you pray Psalm 120?
Begin with verse 1: tell God exactly what is distressing you, then thank him for hearing you. Next, entrust to him the hurtful or lying words you suffer from (verse 2). Finally, ask him to make you a peacemaker, even when others are not.
World English Bible translation — public domain.