psalm-120:1-4-nasb

Scofield's Reference Notes - Psalms 120:1

A Song of degrees Literally, "of ascents." Perhaps chanted by the people as they went up to Jerusalem to the feasts. See, e.g. Psalms 112:1; Psalms 112:2. read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

This time let's turn in our Bibles to Psalms 120:1-7 to begin our Bible study this evening. Now you'll notice these psalms have a heading. The psalm, "A song of degrees." The word literally is ascents, A-S-C-E-N-T-S. And these are sort of the marching songs for the people of Israel as they would come thrice annually to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.There's a lot of things about the nation Israel that excite me. There are a lot of things that I wish that somehow we could incorporate in our... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 120:1-7

This and the fourteen psalms which follow, are entitled, “Songs of Mahaloth, or degrees.” Kimchi, and some of the rabbins say, they were so called because they were sung on the steps of the second temple, which were fifteen in number, and stood between the court of the men, and of the women. Dr. Lightfoot has adopted this opinion. For the same reason most of the Greek Versions denominate these psalms, songs of ascension. Psalms 120:5 . Woe is me that I sojourn in Mesech, and dwell in the... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 120:1-7

Psalms 120:1-7In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.The Songs of DegreesHow came this and fourteen following psalms to be put together, and to receive their distinctive title? It has been suggested that they were thus called from peculiarity in rhythm; but perhaps, in this respect, some of them might with as much correctness be described as songs of the goings-down. The opinion is equally doubtful that the heading was given them because, when they were chanted, the volume of... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 120:2

Psalms 120:2Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips. Lying lipsA watch that cannot be depended upon is of very little use. It may have a beautiful gold case, it may be sparkling with jewels, but yet it will be of no service to me as a watch unless I can depend on what it tells me about the time. And so one of the things by which we judge of the real value and worth of men or women, of boys or girls, is this--Are they truthful? Do they mean what they say? Are they really what they seem to be?... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 120:4

Psalms 120:4Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.“Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper”Thy arrows are not pointless, and thou aimest them with some precision; but on my side is the Almighty Warrior. Thou art able to scorch me for a season; but the vengeance of my Deliverer upon thee is a burning fire that never shall be quenched. He shall more than pay thee in thy own coin. Seeking my ruin, thou destroyest thyself. Thou fallest on thy own sword, and into thy own flame.... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:1

Psalms 120:1 « A Song of degrees. » In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. A Song of degrees ] A most excellent song, Tremellius rendereth it; and so indeed this and the fourteen following are, both for the matter and for the form or manner of expression, which is wondrous short and sweet, as the very epigrams of the Holy Ghost himself, wherein each verse may well stand for an oracle. And in this sense Adam Hammahalah, or a man of degrees, is put for an eminent or excellent... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:2

Psa 120:2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from a deceitful tongue. Ver. 2. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips ] This was David’s distress, and it lay heavy upon his spirit; so it did upon Job’s, and Jeremiah’s, Jeremiah 20:10 ; the scourge of tongues he felt as sharp as scorpions. Of the mischief of an evil tongue see Jam 3:1-9 Psalms 52:2-4 Psalms 12:3 . See Trapp on " Psa 12:3 " read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:3

Psa 120:3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Ver. 3. What shall be given unto thee? &c. ] That is (as Austin senseth it), what remedy is there for thee? q.d. None at all. Contra sycophantarum morsum non est remedium, saith Seneca. But others better, what gain gettest thou what profit makest thou of thy lying and slandering? Hurt thou mayest another, but not help thyself. Thou art not like the maid whom Avicen speaketh of, who feeding... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:4

Psa 120:4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Ver. 4. Sharp arrows of the mighty ] Arrows sharp, and shot with force. A false tongue is likened to a sharp razor, Psalms 52:4 ; to a sharp sword, Psalms 57:5 ; to sharp arrows, Proverbs 20:18 ; here it hath sharp for sharp: as God loveth to retaliate; and he is the giant, or mighty one here, that shooteth these sharpest shafts, that inflicteth most exquisite punishments on such; as once on Dives, whose tongue smoked for it, quia... read more

Scofield's Reference Notes - Psalms 120:1

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 120:1-7

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 120:1-7

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 120:2

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 120:4

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:1

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:2

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:3

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:4

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