psalm-120:1-4-nasb

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee? rather, what shall he ( i . e . God) give to thee? Or, in other words—What punishment will God inflict on thee for thy false speaking? Or what shall be done unto thee? literally, or what shall he add to thee? Compare the common phrase, "God do so unto me, and more also" ( 1 Samuel 3:17 ; 1 Samuel 14:44 ). Thou false tongue . The "false tongue" is apostrophized, as if it were a living person. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:3

Sins of the tongue. "Thou deceitful tongue." Describing this tongue, the psalmist adds, "It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man, as coals of broom." The sin specially in the view of the psalmist is that of the slanderer. What shall be done to him? "The law of retaliation can hardly meet the case, since none can slander the slanderer, he is too black to be blackened; neither would any of us blacken him if we could. Wretched being! He fights with weapons which true men cannot touch.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:3

The deceitful tongue. "Lips are soft; but when they are lying lips they suck away the life of character, and are as murderous as razors. Lips should never be red with the blood of honest men's reputes, nor salved with malicious falsehoods. Some seem to lie for lying's sake, it is their sport and spirit. The faculty of speech becomes a curse when it is degraded into a mean weapon for smiting men behind their backs. Those who fawn and flatter, and all the while have enmity in their hearts,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows of the mighty . The psalmist answers his own questions. Sharp-pointed arrows of a Mighty One shall be given thee, and added to them shall be coals of juniper . God, i . e ; shall punish thee with extreme severity. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:4

Coals of juniper, This verse, and its connection with the preceding one, may be explained in two ways. Psalms 120:4 may describe the " deceitful tongue," likening it to the sharp arrow of a mighty man, or to the fierce coals of the broom, which long keep their heat. Or it may indicate the swift and sure and overwhelming judgments of God, which are sharp and piercing as an arrow, fierce and burning as a fire. "Wickedness shall be returned on the head of the wicked; for the lying tongue... read more

Albert Barnes

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:2

Deliver my soul, O Lord - My soul is harassed and distressed. Perhaps the meaning also may be, My life is in danger. Or, if it refers to the soul as such, then it means that everything pertaining to his soul was deeply affected by the course which was pursued. He was maligned, slandered, misrepresented, deceived, and he had no comfort or peace.From lying lips - False, deceitful, slanderous. Compare the notes at Psalms 31:18.And from a deceitful tongue - From a tongue whose statements cannot be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee? - Margin, “What shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee;” or, “what shall it profit thee?” Luther, “What can the false tongue do?” Others render this, “How will God punish thee?” Others, “What will he (God) give to thee?” That is, What recompence can you expect from God for these malignant calumnies? A literal translation of this verse would be, “What shall the tongue of deceit give to thee, and what shall it add to thee?” - referring to the offender himself.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows of the mighty - This is an answer to the question in Psalms 120:3. The consequence - the effect - of such a use of the tongue must be like sharp and piercing arrows, or like intensely burning coals. The “sharp arrows of the mighty” are the arrows of the warrior - as war was conducted mainly by bows and arrows. Those arrows were, of course, sharpened to make them piercing, penetrating, more deadly.With coals of juniper - On the word here rendered “juniper,” see the notes at Job... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 120:2-4

Psalms 120:2-4. Deliver my soul from lying lips From the unjust censures and malicious slanders of mine enemies; and from a deceitful tongue Which covers mischievous designs under pretences of kindness. What shall be given unto thee By the righteous Judge of heaven and earth; thou false tongue O thou false accuser, or slanderer, or whosoever thou art, that art guilty of any such like practices? Sharp arrows of the mighty The wrath and vengeance of the almighty God, which in... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:4

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 120:2-4

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