Psalm 120:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:1-4

Here is, I. Deliverance from a false tongue obtained by prayer. David records his own experience of this. 1. He was brought into distress, into great distress, by lying lips and a deceitful tongue. There were those that sought his ruin, and had almost effected it, by lying. (1.) By telling lies to him. They flattered him with professions and protestations of friendships, and promises of kindness and service to him, that they might the more securely and without suspicion carry on their designs... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Some think these words describe lying lips, and a false tongue; which are like arrows, sharp ones, sent out from a bow drawn with a mighty hand, which come with great force, suddenly and swiftly, and do much mischief; see Psalm 11:2 ; and to "coals of juniper", very distressing and tormenting; the tongue being a fire, set on fire of hell, and sets on fire the course of nature; and throws out devouring words, which consume like fire, James... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows - The Chaldee has, "The strong, sharp arrows are like lightning from above, with coals of juniper kindled in hell beneath." On the juniper, see the note on Job 30:4 , where this passage is explained. Fiery arrows, or arrows wrapped about with inflamed combustibles, were formerly used in sieges to set the places on fire. See my notes on Ephesians 6:16 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:4

Verse 4 4.The arrows of a strong man sharpened, with coals of juniper. Here the Psalmist amplifies in another way the malice of such as distress the simple and innocent by their calumnies, affirming that they throw out their injurious reports just like a man who should draw an arrow, and with it pierce through the body of his neighbor; and that their calumnies were like coals of juniper, (52) which penetrate more effectually, and burn more intensely the substances with which they come in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

Of the title itself different explanations are given. Some regard the degrees ( ma ' aloth ) as "steps," and accept a rabbinical explanation, that the psalms were written for chanting upon fifteen steps, which led from the Court of the Women in the temple to the Court of the Men. But there is no sufficient evidence of the existence of these steps. Others, translating ma ' aloth by "ascents," suggest that they are psalms composed for the Jews to chant on their ascent from Babylon to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

The perversion of power, etc. This psalm, though "a difference of opinion exists respecting the interpretation of almost every verse and word of it ," may suggest valuable thoughts upon— I. THE PERVERSION OF POWER . It speaks of "lying lips," a "deceitful tongue," and of the "false tongue" ( Psalms 120:2 , Psalms 120:3 ). We may say that sin is perversion; it is the misdirection and abuse of our various faculties and organs; turning to a bad account all our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

In Mesech and Kedar. This psalm is a piteous declaration of the unhappy lot of him who is surrounded by the false, the treacherous, and the cruel. They of Mesech—the Moschi of Herodotus (see Exposition)—dwelt where now the horribly bloodthirsty Kurds have their habitation, who of late years have horrified all Christendom by their barbarous atrocities inflicted on the Christian Armenians. Amid men of such sort the psalmist is complaining that he has to dwell ( Psalms 120:5 ). It is a tale... 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 120:4

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:1-4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:4

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

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