Psalm 123 is a PLEA FOR MERCY from those who have come to Jerusalem for their Feasts - another one of the "Songs of Ascension." It is a "single voice" singing on behavior of the Israelites - God's People. It is a short Psalm, but the message is simple and clear: "OUR GOD IS MERCIFUL".
"It is likely this Psalm would have been used in an ancient worship setting in which the community expressed their trust in God and pleaded for His help." William H Ballinger Jnr.
Some commentators believe it may have been written by Nehemiah, when the people came back from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild their Temple and city. Everything looked dark when Nehemiah arrived to see the walls broken down, and it was a city of poverty. The other nations had been looking down upon them as "week, feeble Jews". Everything seems against Nehemiah, but he was a man who had the "fire of God in his soul". He had come to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and his heart was only for this task. He was "earnest" and "enthusiastic" about his plans to rebuild.
"But Nehemiah was wise. He paid no attention to his accusers. He just looked to God for GRACE AND COMFORT." Dwight L Moody
"Do not grieve, for the JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH." Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV)
LOOKING TO THE LORD - Read Verses 1&2
"I LIFT UP MY EYES TO YOU, to You, who sit enthroned in Heaven." Psalm 123:1
"The Psalmist declares his intention and action - to lift up his eyes to the LORD. This means his eyes are not on his circumstances or himself, but only the Lord." David Guzik
"I would like to call your attention to the prophet Nehemiah. We may gain some help from this distinguished man who accomplished a great work - he was a man of stirling worth. Although he was brought up in the idolatrist city of Persia, we are sure of one thing at least - he has a character that has stood for centuries......Nehemiah was a great man of PRAYER who began with confession of his own sins, and those of his people. After PRAYING he received GREAT POWER FROM GOD." Dwight L Moody
With the same intensity as a servant or maid looks to their master or mistress, the Psalmist "looks above"the mountains and hills" to the Lord. They know that their master would supply all their needs, and would direct their work. Like Nehemiah, we know that our God is indeed MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL, and will do the same for us. The Psalmist persevered patiently until the Lord extended His mercy to His people.
"We wait for Him to show His mercy. Have mercy on us, O Lord, because we have been insulted." Psalm 123:2b & 3 (NCV)
The Psalmist demonstrated that waiting on the Lord is not a "passive" thing. He repeated the request for MERCY, showing the intensity of his plea. He knew that the Lord would answer his prayer and help him. God is compassionate, understanding how we, like the Psalmist, have been "insulted" and persecuted for our FAITH.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the FATHER OF COMPASSION and the GOD OF ALL COMFORT. He comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble, with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3&4 (NIV)
"Now GRACE means unmerited MERCY - undeserved favour. ..... If God were to give us GRACE enough for a lifetime, He has given us the priviledfe of drawing on Him day by day. There is plenty of GRACE in the bank of Heaven; we need not be afraid of it becoming exhausted."
Dwight L Moody
"We have suffered many insults from lazy people, and much cruelty from the proud." Psalm 123:4 (NCV)
Scorn and insults are never easy to bear, but it is especially painful when we have a few problems and difficulties to face. We can be assured of CHRIST'S MERCY, because we know that He has shared in the "contempt of the proud". When Jesus suffered most, His closest friends "denied Him" and were not at his side.
"Nevertheless, this Psalm is filled with the unspoken confidence that the MERCY OF GOD will triumph over the contempt of the proud." David Guzik
"We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us, through Christ. If we have troubles it is for our COMFORT AND SALVATION, and if we have comfort, you also have comfort. This helps you to accept PATIENTLY the same sufferings we have." 2 Corinthians 1:5&6 (NCV)
"The Apostles left the meeting full of joy because they were given the honour of suffering disgrace for Jesus." Acts 5:41 (NIV)
CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 123
"Great is Your Mercy", Don Moen (Performer), 2022, You Tube Playlist.
"The Holy Bible - New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
Brueggerman, Walter & Bellinger, William H Jnr, "Psalms", 2014, Cambridge University Press
Guzik, David, "Psalm 123 - Looking to God for Mercy in Affliction", 2020, www.enduringword.com
Moody, Dwight L, "The Works of Dwight L Moody", 2012, www.golgothapress.com
Back in Psalm 120 , WE MEET THE PILGRIMS. In Psalm 121, we find them TRAVELLING ON THEIR JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM. In Psalm 122, THEY HAVE ARRIVED!
"I was happy when they said unto me, "Let's go to the Temple of the Lord. JERUSALEM, we are standing at your gates." Psalm 122:1&2 (NCV)
Psalm 122 is still a "A Song of Ascents", but this time it has an author - DAVID. It is one of
the 4 "Songs of Ascents" attributed to him. He wrote it, both, for what Jerusalem was is in his day, and for what it would under his son Solomon and his successors.
This Psalm is all about JERUSALEM - the destination - the city where God chose to live among His people. It is a place where the 12 Tribes of Israel go up to meet together to "praise the Lord in according to the statues of the Lord."
"You must seek the Lord at the place of worship He Himself will choose from among all the tribes - the place where His name will be honoured." Deuteronomy 12:5
"David wrote it for the people to sing at the time of their going up to the Holy Feasts in Jerusalem. It It comes third in the series, and it appears to be suitable to be sung when the people had entered the gates, and their feet stood within the city." Charles Spurgeon
WORSHIPING IN GOD'S TEMPLE - Read Verses 1&2, I Chroniocles 22.
During David's day there was never a TEMPLE, but he knew that one would be built, having extensively planned and prepared for it. It is possible that David wrote here of the pilgrimage to the TABERNACLE, which existed in his day and was regarded as the HOUSE OF THE LORD. It is more likely, though, that he wrote it in anticipation for the pilgrims who would come tom TEMPLE that was to be built by Solomon.
"Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings! ....... David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now. So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.......Then David sent for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7“My son, I wanted to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God.........Now, my son, may the Lord be with you and give you success as you follow his directions in building the Temple of the Lord your God."
1 Chronicles 22:1, 5, 7,11 (NLT)
Coming to GOD'S HOUSE made David happy, though he knew that no building could contain all of GOD'S GLORY AND GREATNESS. But, at the HOUSE OF THE LORD David focused all his PRAYERS and WORSHIP, just like our Churches today. Like David, we also rejoice in GOD'S WORD in the community of God's people.
Like David, going to GOD'S HOUSE - our Church - should be a glad thing. Not always "fun and entertaining", but it should be "good and welcoming" for both the believer and the non-believer. If this is not the case it is probably a "state of the heart" that is the problem.
Most people regard "our feet standing within the gates", to be David's description of the statement made by the "joyful pilgrims" who have finally arrived in Jerusalem. They come because this is where David set up the Tabernacle, and where the "Ark of the Covenant" and the "Altar of Sacrifice" were. Later Solomon built thge Temple that David had planned and prepared for their later WORSHIP if the Heavenly Father God.
"Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so that you can bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the Lord’s name.” 1 Chronicles 22:19 (NLT)
JERUSALEM - A UNIFIED CITY -Read Verses 3&4
"Jerusalem is a well-built city and it seamless walls cannot be breached. That is where the TRIBES go up - the TRIBES OF THE LORD - to praise the name of the Lord according to the statues given to Israel." Psalm 122:3&4 (NIV)
David had conquered the city of Jerusalem and he made it the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. It had been a Caananite stronghold held by the Jebusites. He built the city and rejoiced when God's walls were built.
"It mattered not how wicked and degraded a place may hace been in former times, when it is sanctified to the use and service of God it becomes honourable......now it is a city compacted together for the "joy of the whole earth". (Plummer, cited by Charles Spurgeon)
Jerusalem was not a large city, but it was not a disorderly "collection of tents and shacks". It was built in a compact, orderly manner - a real "unified city". One of the reasons David established Jerusalem as his capital was because he wanted it for a meeting place for the 12 tribes of Israel. God's chosen people could come together for unified worship in the House of the Lord.
"Christians today should reflect this same UNITY, even with their DIVERSITY." David Guzik
The primary purpose of the "Feasts of the Tabernacle", were so that the 12 tribes could gather together and give THANKS TO GOD. Their appreciation of what God has done for them in the PAST, gave them FAITH for what He would do in the FUTURE.
"The unity of the city reflected the unity of the Tribes on these special occasions. The Israelite tribes came together for the purpose of PRAISING THE LORD. It was an act of loyalty as the Lord commanded them to present themselves before Him." (VanGemeran - cited by David Guzik.
"Here stand the thrones where judgement is given, the thrones of the Dynasty of David."
Psalm 122:5 (NKJV)
David's house was established to rule over Israel. David's lineage reigned in Jerusalem, and will forever reign through Jesus Christ, our Messiah. For Jerusalem is also where Jesus died and rose again. In doing this we have been unifies as one with Him and His Father God.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.
And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. ....I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me."John 17:20-21,23
PRAYING FOR PEACE IN JERUSALEM - Read Verses 6-9
Jerusalem was cherished in the hearts of God's people. It was where the Temple was, where ordinary people
could draw near to God. That is why David is telling his people, and those generations to follow:
"PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM. May those who love you be secure. O Jerusalem, may there be PEACE
within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say: "MAY YOU HAVE
PEACE." For the sake of the House of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity." Psalm 122:6-9 (NIV)
David exhorted pilgrims coming to the Holy City to PRAY FOR THE PEACE of his city. Jerusalem's
Jerusalem's name itself is "CITY OF PEACE." It was also the "CITY OF WORSHIP"and the seat of Government for the nation of Israel.
David's prayer included a BLESSING for those who LOVED this city and prayed for its PEACE. The BLESSING was not only
for the INDIVIDUAL but for the whole COMMUNITY - "David's fellow countrymen living in the city."
Ancient Jerusalem had "political, economic and social importance. " Yet the most important reason people loved and cared for
their city was because of the "HOUSE OF GOD."
"Jerusalem was an outpost of Heaven in the world. The holiest place within the Temple complex was where God's
glory lived. God made the earth a place where God dwells with His people." John Greco
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habbakuk 2:14 (NIV)
CONCLUSION - OUR CHURCH TODAY
Christians should have the same great love and care for their Churches today, and seek to be God's SERVANTS in them. In light of all that Jesus has done, it is no longer enough just to PRAY for Jerusalem. The House of the Lord is no longer confined within the walls of one city. We must pray for our brothers and sisters, EVERYWHERE, near and far!
"Just as it was good for the PILGRIMS in Israel to seek the good of Jerusalem, for the sake of GOD'S HOUSE, so
Christians today can and should seek the good of society for the sake of GOD'S HOUSE." David Guzik
"First WE LOVE IT, then we LABOUR FOR IT. As in this passage, WE SEE ITS GOOD, and then SEEK ITS GOOD." Charles Spurgeon
"House of the Lord", Phil Wickham (Composer & Performer), (2021), Apple Music
"The Holy Bible"- New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New King James Version", 1982, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation" 2015, Tyndale House Publishing
Greco, John, "A Devotional Adventure in the Book of Psalms - The Songs of Ascent", 2023, You Version
Guzik, David, "Psalm 122 - Coming to the House of the Lord and the City of God," 2020, www.enduringword.com
Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary of Psalms", 1885, 2021, Christianity.com
"This is the second in the series of Psalms which are titled: "A SONG OF ASCENTS". As a song sung by travellers, this is particularly relevant for our TRUST IN GOD through our journey." David Guzik
In the Ancient world, travelling was difficult and dangerous. The Psalmist that wrote Psalm 121, knew this. He was likely speaking as a pilgrim himself, travelling to Jerusalem. He said:
"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1&2
He then immediately answers His question. The Psalmist is looking for a "HELPER", and as it is in the 1st Person, it appears that it is "a confession".
In the subsequent verses, 3-8, God shifts from a helper to a "GUIDE and KEEPER". watching over His people. The language shifts to the 2nd Person (YOU), and the Psalmist celebrates GOD'S LOVE AND CARE.
"In the Verses 3-8, the theme is that Yahweh us the guardian of Israel, keeping watch over them (Sharmar)." W. Dennis Tucker Jnr.
TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD - Read Psalm 121:1&2
"Some years ago I wanted to teach my son about FAITH. I put him on a table and stood back a couple of feet. He was only a little fellow, about 2 years old. I said to him:
"Willie, jump!"
The little fellow said, "Papa, I'm afraid".
So I said to him: "Willie, I will catch you. Just look at me, and jump."
The little fellow got all ready to jump, looked down at me, a said:
"I'm afraid!"
"Willie, didn't I tell you that I would catch you? Will papa deceive you? Willie, look at me and jump and I will catch you".
The little fellow got all ready a third time to jump, but he looked at the floor, and for the third time said:
"I'm afraid!"
"Didn' I tell you I would catch you?"
"Yes!"
At last I said: "Willie, don't take your eyes off me."
I held the little fellow and said: "Now jump. Don't look into at the floor,"
He leaped into my arms.
Then he said to me: "Let me jump again".
I put him back and the moment he got on the table, HE JUMPED. I heard him cry:
"Papa, I'm coming".
I had just enough time rush and catch him. He seemed to put too much confidence in me. But, YOU CANNOT PUT TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN GOD." Dwught L Moody.
For some people the mountains were a sense of fear. "Hills" and "mountains" signified danger to the pilgrims. The Temple in Jerusalem was "precariously placed" among the Judean Hills (Mt Zion), and was "vulnerable" to enemy attacks. The mountains have been interpreted by a number of commentatrors as "a treachourous and dangerous path". In an age when highway robbery was a real danger, the mountains provided plenty of rocks for the thieves to hide behind, before exploding on a "unsuspecting traveller."
Some comentators suggest that this was an "anxious look to the hills" looking for dangers and threats.
Do you have any anxieties that cause you to worry? At the moment for me, it is going into the schoolroom each day, and on Monday I will be going into hospital for a simple operation. It's not that I don't trust the doctors, it is just that I am not too keen on hospitals. It's a good thing I have trust and confidence in my Father God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, who I know are with me always.
"In both Hebrew and Aramaic the action of "lifting eyes" implied looking at something longlingly, with desire, rather than dread." W. Dennis Tucker
The Psalmist looked to the distant hills of Jerusalem as he travelled to fulfill his pilgrimage. The traveller looks towards Jerusalem's Temple - God's presence - as his goal, knowing that "HELP" would come from the God "who made Heaven and earth". The Hebrew word for "help" - "ezer" - does not do the word justice, for the Psalmist is seeking divine protection for himself and his fellow Israelites.
The beautiful poetry in these Verses gives the impression that these hills were a "symbolic source of strength" for the pilgrims coming to Jerusalem. Based on past experience, seeking the Lord's help gave him HOPE, TRUST AND CONFIDENCE in an omnipresent Father.
When you need help from the Lord, all you need to do is to "lift your eyes" to Heaven. I still need to lay my anxieties each day at Jesus' feet, expressing gratitude for the help of His Father. The secret to TRUST AND CONFIDENCE is to look into the Lord's face, just like "Willie" did with Dwight, his "papa". We can believe that God has all things under His control and we can rest in His goodness.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5&6 (NKJV)
"Worry drains our energy and makes us tired. Relax, and untie the knots of anxiety, with the assurance that the Holy Spirit will be there in our moment of need." Charles Swindoll
We look up and are comforted by GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY. We look up and are reminded of GOD'S PROMISES. PRAY, and leave your worries with God. Trust HIS PROVISION! Walking with God is the most exciting and rewarding experience. God takes us through struggles and difficulties, so we can grow more like Jesus and committed to Him.
"Quiet TRUST promotes COURAGE! You can walk with God in PERFECTX TRUST!"
Charles Swindoll
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart TRUSTS IN HIM and I AM HELPED. Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him." Psalm 28:7 (NKJV)
GOD'S WATCHFUL LOVE AND CARE - Read Psalm 121:3&4
"Those who TRUST GOD know where to turn in times of trouble. With God to GUARD THEM they may come to no harm." Pat & David Alexander
The Psalmist refers to God's WATCHFUL LOVE AND CARE for all God's people. God's love is "higher than a mountain" and we can thank the Lord that His love is "HIGH, DEEP and LONG". It surrounds us in our time of distress and anxiety.
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels or principalities or powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39 (NKJV)
The "watchful eye" of the LORD is not passive. He "guards and protects" us. The Psalmist intended that God be known as the GUARDIAN ANGEL OF ISRAEL. As our guardian the Lord remains on watch to protect His people. He neither "slumbers nor sleeps."
In ancient Near Eastern traditions, the gods were often depicted as sleeping. This was not true with our Father God - "the greater deity". The Psalmist proclaims that God "will not let your foot slip". As the Lord is "watching over you", He helps you by establishing them in a firm place, allowing their feet "not to be moved."
"He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber and sleep" Psalm 121:3&4 (NKJV)
"Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.......Therefore take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to witjstand the evil day, an having done all, TO STAND." Ephesians 6:11-13 (NKJV)
This is 1st of 6 times in this short Psalm that the Hebrew word "shamar" ("keeping/watching over") is used.
THELORD IS OUR PROTECTOR AND SHADE: Read Psalm 121: 5&6
It is the Lord wo is our "SHADE AND RIGHT HAND". In these next verses, God is seen as our "FRIEND" , who not only watches over us but stands next to us as "our shade", both in the day and night, protecting us from the "hot sun" and the "harmful moon's rays". The Babylonian "moon god" was said to have caued many illnesses.
"The Lord Himself watches over you. The Lord stands beside you as a protective shade. The sun shall not harm you by day nor the moon at night." Psalm 121:5&6 (NLT)
"I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8 (NLKV)
Adding to this claim that God stands by you as a "protective shade", the Psalmist also finds relief from the "heat of the sun" and the "moon at night". The brutal rays of the sun in the Midddle East could assault the traveller, such as the pilgrim on the way to one of Israel's feasts in Jerusalem. God promised care for the travellers, with a reference to the cloud that followed the Israelites, going back to the wilderness where they left Egypt. Mentioning the threats of both day and night, as they travelled, they knew they could have God's protection through their whole life.
"What the Psalmist really means though, in figurative language is that nothing, either of the day and night can harm us, if God is keeping guard. God is our covering against every calamity. He is our shade against the visible perils of the day as well as the hidden perils of the night."
James Boice - cited by David Guzik.
THE LORD PROTECTS YOUR LIFE - Read Psalm 121:7&8
"The Lord will keep you from harm - HE WIL WATCH OVER YOUR LIFE. He will WATCH OVER YOUR COMING AND GOING, both now and forever more." Psalm 121:7&8 (NIV)
This promise is "COMPREHENSIVE"! God's people may trust in His OMNIPOTENCE, His provision for all our activity (our "coming and going"), and at all times ("forevermore"). For faithful travellers on the way to Jerusalem, these words brought COMFORT. He is an ONIPRESENT GOD, travelling with us wherever we go, and watching over us. We can sleep on our journey because He never does.
This repetitive phrase: "THE LORD WATCHES" is particularly needed for these travelling pilgrims. We can have CONFIDENCE and FAITH that the LORD WILL TAKE CARE OF US through every part of our life.
"You can weather the storm, walk through the valley and hold on during our midnight hour. A new horizon awaits you and first step on this new path of your life journey starts right now."
Benjamin Windle
CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 121
"Lifting up our eyes to the hills", their is potential for "our feet to slip", the mention of the "sun andmoon" and finally the image of "coming and going", are reminders that a travellers journey is fraught with peril - whether it is getting lost along the way, beaten down by natural forces or simply "harm from evil".
The journey to worship with God is also full of promises:
* God is our HELPER, GUARDIAM AND KEEPER (CARER).
* We can have CONFIDENCE AND TRUST in or Father God.
* God JOURNEYS WITH US and STANDS BY US.
We are assured by the Psalmist that if we PRAY THIS PSALM we can have faith in our circumstances - "though challenging and risky" our Fathe God will be by our side. We will NEVER WALK ALONE!
"I Lift My Eyes", (2007), Brian Doerkson (Composer and Performer), Integrity Hosanna, You Tube
"I Lift My Eyes", (2020), Keith & Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauffin, Matt Maher (Composers & Performers), Getty Music, You Tube
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New King James Version", 1982, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
ALEXANDER, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible.", 2009, Lion Hudson Publishers
SWINDOLL, Charles, "Perfect Trust", (2000), Thomas Nelson
GRECO, Johm, "The Songs of Ascent - A Devotional Adventure in the Book of Psalms", 2023, You Version
GUZIK, David, "Psalm 121 - The God Who Keeps and Helps" , 2020, www.enduringword.com, YouTube
MOODY, L Dwight, "The Works of Dwight L Moody."2012, www.golgothspress.com
TUCKER, W Dennis Jnr, GRANT, James A, "The NIV Application Commentary - Psalms: Volume 2", 2018, ZondervanAcademic.com
Each of these Psalms: 120-134, have the title: "Psalms of Ascension". They are a collection of songs sung by the Pilgrims - "songs of desire and hope" - as they travelled to the Temple in Jerusalem for their annual feasts - "religious ceremonies" - Passover, Pentecost and the Tabernacles." They are named so, because the final leg of the journey to Jerusalem takes the pilgrims on a"steep hike".
In the ancient world there were places in which God's presence dwelled for a time, but it was in Jerusalem where his "presence had a house" - the Temple. Solomon built the Temple and the glory of God "dwelled within." For this reason, Jerusalem became central to the life and worship of Israel. Every year, the faithful among the believers - God's people, would travel to Jerusalem to worship the Lord in the Temple. It was likely that Jesus Himself would have sungs these songs in His many journeys to Jerusalem from Galilee. Psalm 120 is the first of these Ascension Hymns.
DISTRESS FROM DECEITFUL, LYING PEOPLE - Read Verses 1&2
"In my distress I cried to the Lord and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from the lying lips and deceitful tongues." Psalm 120:1&2 (NKJV)
The Psalmist remembered God's past faithfulness in his present need. He asked the Lord to rescue him from false accusers. The Psalmist desccribed the nature of his distress: evil words spoken against him from "lying and deceitful tongues". The lies in our soul needs deliverance from not just the lies said about us, but also "to us" - lies about God, that bring us down as we travel.
"When we are slandered, it is joy that the Lord knows us, and cannot be made to doubt our uprightness. He will not hear this lie against us, but bhe will hear our prayer against the lie." Charles Spurgeon
"Many Psalms, like this one, are full of reference to the sins of the tongue - lies, scandal, slander and hypocrisy. The followe of God may suffer as much from what people say than what they do."
Pat & David Alexander
THE DESTINY OF THE DECEITFUL PERSON -Psalm 120:3&4
"What shall be given to you, oh what shall be done to you? You false tongue? Sharp arrows are the warriors, will coals of the bronze tree." Psalm 120:3&4 (NKJV)
In these verses, the Psalmist shifted from his praise to God, to speak at the "false tongue", of those who cause his distress. He warned these lying lips of "what shall be done to them". The false tongues of the Psalmist's enemies will soon know the "sharp arrows". They would be cast our like "dangerousmissiles". The "sharp arrows of judgement" would come against them.
"The liar, wounding though his weapons are, will be destroyed with far more potent shafts than lies: God's arrows of TRUTH and coals of JUDGEMENT." (Kidner - cited by David Guzik).
LIVING IN A TROUBLED PLACE - Read Psalm 120:5&6
"Can we trust God to intervene in the heart of a worship so that he does not carry an evil intent? According to the Bible the answer is "YES". We can trust God." Jerry Bridges
"How terrible it is for me to live in the land of Meschach, to live among the people of Kedar."
Psalm 120:5 (NKJV)
This verse finds the Psalmist lamenting about just how far he lives from Jerusalem. This is a poetic way of saying, "he is living among savages". MESHECH was a distant place, far from the land of Israel. KEDAR was a nomadic place associated with the nomatic tribes that lived in the lands surrounding Israel.
"Meschech and Tubal are there, with all their hordes around their graves. They once struck terror in the hearts of people everywhere. But now they are outcasts, slaughtered by the sword." Ezekial 36:26 (NLT)
"Advance against Kedar! Destroy the warriors from the East! Their flocks and tents will be captured and their household goods and camels will be taken away. Everywhere, shouts of panic will be heard: We are terrorized at every turn." Jeremiah 48:28&29 (NLT)
Theodd thing about these two places - MESCHECH AND KEDAR - is that they are nowhere near one another. It seems the Psalmist has chosen these two places, not because of their proximity, but because of their cultural similarities. Both groups of people "hate peace". Pilgrims heading to Jerusalem for their festivals may not be from Meschach and Kedar specifically, but they would be able to relate to the psalmist's woes. "There was no place like home."
"The verbs "dwell" and "live" are significantly chosen. Even though the psalmist may have enjoyed a permanent resident, he felt like he was no more a sojourner among his contemporaries, He did not feel at home with ungodly people". (Van Gemeran - cited by David Guzik),
"I have lived too long with people who hate peace." Psalm 120:6
The psalmist ached because he lived among the ungodly and was distant from Israel and God's people. He longed foor God's peace among his enemies, who had lying lips and hated peace.
PEACE IN GOD'S PRESENCE- Read Psalm 120:7
"I am for PEACE, but when I speak, they are for war." Psalm 120:7 (NIV)
The psalmist longed for GOD'S PEACE. He wanted to be in God's presence with "overwhelming, inexhaustible and unending PEACE". In the Hebrew Old Testament the word "peace" was usually translated as "Shalom" - wholeness, contentment and security. In this world "true Shalom" is hard to come by; it's easy to feel far away from home, yet in Christ, there is no need to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us PEACE was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
"Jesus was a man of PEACE......He lived to make PEACE "by the blood of His cross"; He died to complete it." (Pierce, cited by Charles Spurgeon).
God makes His home within us by the Holy Spirit. This is why Jesus said:
"PEACE, I leave with you; MY PEACE I give unto you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 (NIV)
The Shalom (peace) of God's presence is ours, if we choose to embrace it. Can you help to make peace? BE A PEACEMAKER.
"In his whole being the Psalmist longs for the establishment of PEACE. " (Van Germen - cited by David Guzik)
"Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
The Psalmist spoke words of peace and goodness, to represent and promote these values in His own community. Yet every time he did this, the response was hostile, characteristic of those who "are of war". At least for a while he needed better company - and he would find it among the pilgrims, who came to Jerusalem, sharing in the songs of Ascension.
CONCLUSION - Read Psalm 12
This makes Psalm 120 a fiting start to the "Songs of Ascension."As the pilgrim's journey to Jerusalem began. The psalmist was mindful of the weariness they endured, living apart from a supportive community of God's people. They needed this trip at Feast time and they needed the larger community of travellers.
Like those who chose to make this "trek to Jerusalem, we have to "make a conscious decision to practice the peace of God's presence". We need to live as "citizens of the Kingdom" wherever we are. There's "NO PLACE LIKE HOME". Let's live like it!
"So the Psalm ends with a long drawn out sigh. It inverts the usual order of similar Psalms, , in which the description of need is want to precede the prayer of deliverance, which urges the soul to seel a better home. So this is a true pilgrim psaln." (MacLarem - city by David Guzik. "\
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica.
"The Holy Bible - New King James Version." 1982, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
ALEXANDER, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook of the Bible", 2009, Lion Hudson Publishers
