Psalm 120

[DeanZF]

Psalm 120

Prayer for Deliverance from the Treacherous

A Song of Ascents
<LIST type="decimal">

1. <LI>
2. In my trouble I cried to the LORD,
   
   And He answered me.</LI>
   <LI>
3. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips,
   
   From a deceitful tongue.</LI>
   <LI>
4. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,
   
   You deceitful tongue?</LI>
   <LI>
5. Sharp arrows of the warrior,
   
   With the burning coals of the broom tree.</LI>
   
   <LI>
6. Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech,
   
   For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!</LI>
   <LI>
7. Too long has my soul had its dwelling
   
   With those who hate peace.</LI>
   <LI>
8. I am for peace, but when I speak,
   
   They are for war.</LI>

</LIST>Think about how the Hebraic mind works. History is never rehearsed in the past tense. "When we were in bondage in Egypt..." We start our trip from the village remembering how it was when we were in Egypt. I am so often "in trouble" and when I'm in my right mind, I cry to the Lord. From bondage, He heard us and delivered our souls from the lying lips and deceitful tongues that try so hard to keep us bound.



The last three verses represent not only the hard life of bondage, but our current lives. The Hebrew children wanted either war or to live with malevolent overseers. They wanted to live in peace. Most of us can identify with having our dwellings amongst those who hate peace. Most of us can also identify with being for peace and being attacked for it.