TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Psalms 120

BSB·7 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1In my distressבַּצָּרָ֣תָהbaṣ·ṣā·rā·ṯāh — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → I criedקָ֝רָ֗אתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and He answered meוַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃way·ya·‘ă·nê·nî — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →. 2Deliverהַצִּ֣ילָהhaṣ·ṣî·lāh — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → my soulנַ֭פְשִׁיnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְֽהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, from lyingשֶׁ֑קֶרše·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → lipsמִשְּׂפַת־miś·śə·p̄aṯ- — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → and a deceitfulרְמִיָּֽה׃rə·mî·yāh — deceit, treachery, or slothfulnessH7423 — Full Word Study → tongueמִלָּשׁ֥וֹןmil·lā·šō·wn — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study →. 3Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → will He doיִּתֵּ֣ןyit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to you, and whatוּמַה־ū·mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → will be addedיֹּסִ֥יףyō·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → to you, O deceitfulרְמִיָּֽה׃rə·mî·yāh — deceit, treachery, or slothfulnessH7423 — Full Word Study → tongueלָשׁ֥וֹןlā·šō·wn — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study →? 4Sharpשְׁנוּנִ֑יםšə·nū·nîm — To sharpen; to make keen or acuteH8150 — Full Word Study → arrows will come from the warriorגִבּ֣וֹרḡib·bō·wr — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study →, withעִ֝֗ם‘im — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → burning coalsגַּחֲלֵ֥יga·ḥă·lê — burning coal, hot coalH1513 — Full Word Study → of the broom treeרְתָמִֽים׃rə·ṯā·mîm — Broom shrub; desert plantH7574 — Full Word Study →! 5Woeאֽוֹיָה־’ō·w·yāh- — An exclamation of grief, lamentation, or distress; 'woe'H190 — Full Word Study → to me thatכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I dwellגַ֣רְתִּיḡar·tî — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → in Meshechמֶ֑שֶׁךְme·šeḵ — A son of JaphethH4902 — Full Word Study →, that I liveשָׁ֝כַ֗נְתִּיšā·k̲an·tî — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → amongעִֽם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the tentsאָהֳלֵ֥י’ā·ho·lê — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Kedarקֵדָֽר׃qê·ḏār — Kedar, Arabian peopleH6938 — Full Word Study →! 6Too longרַ֭בַּתrab·baṯ — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → have Iנַפְשִׁ֑יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → dweltשָֽׁכְנָה־šā·ḵə·nāh- — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → amongעִ֝֗ם‘im — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → those who hateשׂוֹנֵ֥אśō·w·nê — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → peaceשָׁלֽוֹם׃šā·lō·wm — Peace, wholeness, well-being, prosperityH7965 — Full Word Study →. 7Iאֲ‍ֽנִי־’ănî·šā- — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am in favor of peace; but whenוְכִ֣יwə·ḵî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I speakאֲדַבֵּ֑ר’ă·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, theyהֵ֝֗מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → want war.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Psalms 120
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 120 is the first of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for worship. This psalm captures the cry of a believer surrounded by deceit and conflict, calling out to God for deliverance from lying tongues and false accusations. The psalmist expresses deep longing for peace while living among those who oppose it. Though his circumstances are hostile, his confidence in God's hearing and help provides the foundation for his prayer.

Verses 1-2: The Cry for Help

The psalm opens with a powerful testimony: "In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me." This simple statement anchors the entire psalm in faith. The psalmist is not uncertain whether God listens—he declares with confidence that his prayer was heard. His specific request follows: deliverance from lying lips and deceitful tongues. In the ancient world, as today, false words and slander were devastating weapons that could destroy reputation and relationships. The psalmist recognizes that words can wound deeply, and he brings this pain directly to God, who alone has power to defend and vindicate.

Verses 3-4: God's Judgment on Deceit

The psalm shifts to a rhetorical question: "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?" The psalmist is expressing divine judgment on those who speak lies. Verses 3-4 paint a picture of severe consequences: sharp arrows of the mighty and burning coals of juniper. This language reflects the Old Testament principle that God judges sin and defends His people. The psalmist is not seeking personal revenge but rather appealing to God's justice. He trusts that the Lord will hold liars accountable, just as an archer's arrows or scorching fire cannot be escaped. This section reassures us that deception does not escape God's notice.

Verses 5-7: Living Among Enemies

The final section reveals the psalmist's broader struggle. He laments: "Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!" Mesech and Kedar were distant, foreign regions—the psalmist feels he is living among strangers and enemies. He explains his deepest pain in verse 6: "My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace." For an extended time, he has been surrounded by those opposed to reconciliation and harmony. Yet in verse 7, he makes a personal declaration: "I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war." This is the heart of his anguish—he pursues peace, but his efforts are met with hostility and conflict.

Application for Today

Psalm 120 speaks powerfully to any believer who has faced betrayal through false words or opposition from those around them. The psalmist teaches us that our first response should be to cry out to God, confident that He hears us. We need not fear those who use deceit as a weapon, because God is our defender and ultimate judge. If you find yourself in a hostile environment—at work, in family dynamics, or in your community—remember that seeking peace does not make you weak; it aligns you with God's character. Bring your pain to the Lord, trust His justice, and continue pursuing peace even when others resist it. God sees your faithfulness and will vindicate you in His time.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note