Psalm 120:1-125:5 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:1

In my distress - In my suffering, as arising from slander, Psalms 120:2-3. There are few forms of suffering more keen than those caused by slander:“Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongueOutvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breathRides on the posting winds, and doth belieAll corners of the world: kings, queens, and states,Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the graveThis viperous slander enters.”Cymbeline, iii. 4.It is one of those things which a man cannot guard against; which he... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

Psalms 120-124 To Jerusalem for worshipEach of the fifteen Psalms 120:0 to 134 is entitled ‘A Song of Ascents’ (RSV; NIV). These psalms were apparently sung by worshippers from the country areas as they made the journey up to Jerusalem for the various annual festivals.Whether or not the psalms were written for this purpose, they have been arranged in a sequence that reflects the feelings of the travellers. They provide expressions of worship for the travellers as they set out from distant... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 120:1

Title. A Song. Hebrew. shir . See App-65 : viz. one of the Songs promised by Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:20 . degrees = the degrees, or steps. Hebrew. hamma'aloth (with Art.): i.e. the "degrees" mentioned six times in 2 Kings 20:8-11 , and five times in Isaiah 38:8 (Hebrew) No other "degrees" known to Scripture which are connected with the shadow of the sun. For the origin, authorship, examination, and Structure, see App-67 , and note on p. 827. distress. The first Psalm of each of the five... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 120:1

PSALM 120INTRODUCTION TO SONGS OF ASCENTSPSALMS 120-134As Spurgeon put it, "We have left the continent of that vast 119th Psalm for the islands and islets of the Songs of Degrees."[1] However, he reminded us that God is the author of both the great and the small, and that all of the Word of God is precious.In our version (American Standard Version), the title "A Song of Ascents" appears in the superscription of each of these fifteen psalms. This superscription varies in the versions. "The KJV... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 120:1

Psalms 120:0. David prayeth against Doeg, and reproveth his tongue. He complaineth of his necessary conversation with the wicked. A Song of Degrees. Title. המעלות שׁיר Shiir hammangaloth. A song of degrees] Or ascent: It is very uncertain why this title is prefixed to this and the following psalms. The more general opinion seems to be that of those who conjecture that they were so called, because, after the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, they were sung by the Levites as they... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 120:1-2

1. God’s deliverance from liars 120:1-2The psalmist testified that he had prayed to God for deliverance from liars and that God had granted his request."After over fifty years of ministry, I am convinced that most of the problems in families and churches are caused by professed Christians who do not have a real and vital relationship to Jesus Christ. They are not humble peacemakers but arrogant troublemakers." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 335.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 120:1-7

Psalms 120Psalms 120-134 are all "songs of ascent." This group, in turn, constitutes the major part of the Great Hallel psalms (Psalms 120-136). The psalms of ascent received this title because the pilgrim Israelites sang them as they traveled from their homes all over the land and ascended Mt. Zion for the annual feasts. David composed at least four of these 15 psalms (Psalms 122, 124, 131, , 133). Solomon wrote one (Psalms 127), and the remaining 10 are anonymous. They may not have been... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:1-3

These Pss. are similar in thought, style, and language. Each bears the heading A Song of degrees, RV ’A Song of Ascents.’ Scholars now agree for the most part in interpreting this title ’A Song of Pilgrimages’ (lit. ’goings up’), as indicating the use of these Pss. for pilgrims on their annual journeys to keep the various feasts at Jerusalem. Others explain the ’Ascent’ as referring to the return of the exiles from Babylon. This section had doubtless been a separate Psalter with this title,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:1-7

A cry for help to Jehovah in the midst of sore distress, evidently by an exile under foreign oppression.4. ’Sharp arrows of a mighty man, with glowing coals of broom,’ i.e. burning charcoal made of broom. Both expressions are figures for divine judgments: cp. Psalms 140:10.5. Mesech] i.e. the Moschi, a tribe dwelling near the Euxine Sea: cp. Genesis 10:2, also Herodotus 3.94. Kedar] tribes of N. Arabia famous for their black tents: cp. Song of Solomon 1:5. Here the two names are probably taken... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

Psalms 120:1-7THE collection of pilgrim songs is appropriately introduced by one expressive of the unrest arising from compulsory association with uncongenial and hostile neighbours. The psalmist laments that his sensitive "soul" has been so long obliged to be a "sojourner" where he has heard nothing but lying and strife. Weary of these, his soul stretches her wings towards a land of rest. His feeling ill at ease amidst present surroundings stings him to take the pilgrim’s staff. "In" this... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:1

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 120:1

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 120:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 120:1

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 120:1-2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 120:1-7

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:1-3

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:1-7

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

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