Read Psalm 120
A song of ascents.
1 I call on the Lord in my distress,
and he answers me.
2 Save me, Lord,
from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.
3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides,
you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom bush.
5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.
Go Deeper
Psalm 120 is a prayer, written by David, asking for deliverance from the plans and actions of treacherous people. David starts his prayer by declaring the faithfulness of God. This is probably no accident, as he is seeking deliverance from the faithlessness and betrayal of others. David starts where we should, in times when people not only let us down, but cause us great harm. He reminds himself that God can be trusted, even when those closest to us, or those that surround us, cannot.
Psalm 120 not only serves as a prayer and a cry for help; it can also act as a warning and source of wisdom. To those with deceitful tongues, David describes the consequences of their actions as arrows and burning coals of the broom tree. In the footnotes of Psalm 120, The Amplified Bible tells us that the coals of broom trees are peculiar in that they can continue to smolder on the inside long after they appear to have died out on the outside. In the same way, the aftermath of deceit continues to linger in our hearts and lives long after lies are told.
Let us, as the people of God, be instead known for our faithfulness and truthfulness.
A final word of encouragement, if you find yourself in the aftermath of others’ deceit: We serve a God who knows firsthand the pain of treachery. This psalm points us to the life of Jesus, who, in His mercy and grace, is able to bear witness to and comfort us in our heartache and suffering. Take courage: God is faithful, even when the people around us are not.
Questions
- Can you relate to the pain of David in this psalm? Have you ever experienced the treachery of others?
- Have you ever caused pain by deceit and betrayal? There is grace for you in Jesus. You can find forgiveness and freedom from your sin in Christ.
- Are you in a position to support or bring comfort and encouragement to those who are struggling with the pain described in the psalm? Can you remind them of the faithfulness of God in the midst of their pain?
Keep Digging
Curious about the role of broom trees, or “juniper,” throughout Scripture? Check this out.
3 responses to “Psalm 120”
This world is hard. We will have trials and tribulations. People will be unkind. BUT GOD is what matters. We are not here for what the world can offer us, but we are here to show the world what God can offer them, through us. Could God do it without us? Of course! But He chose to have children. He wanted relationships. We are all quirky in our own ways. We have been formed by lies from the evil one. We are selfish, dishonest and deceitful. Maybe that is not how or what we desire, but by our flesh and blood we are tainted. BUT GOD!!! By the power of the Holy Spirit we can be transformed, renewed and made into a new creation. Old things are done away with and we can be the men and women God called us to be with His power and might living and abiding within. Our job as the new creation is to love the Lord God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. Share the gospel of Jesus Christ, be the gospel, live the gospel. Even when and even if the world is not doing what or how we think they should, BUT GOD!
God I am so thankful for how You show up with words that give me hope. There are days that I dread leaving my home. Thank You God for showing me the better way. Thank You for loving me with that hesed love and that I desire to shema hear You to obedience. Let my words be true and not just lip service but heart service. God thank You for the minutes of this day that I stay focused on You and Your purpose. God show me, teach me, and help me to be all that will bless, honor and glorify You today in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!
The song shared below was on loop in my head before I opened Psalm 120. Then I read “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me” (v1). I love how God delivers his message to us, may we recognize it and praise him for his faithfulness.
https://youtu.be/TZ2lIVD-cP0?is=M1zPOtfPqRlbVXz3
6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
Kind of odd to think that someone would hate peace. Seems as absurd as hating love.
But upon reflection, I can see that there are actually people who come to hate the good things of life.
Tragic!