Psalm 120:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:5-7

The psalmist here complains of the bad neighbourhood into which he was driven; and some apply the Ps. 120:3, 4 to this: ?What shall the deceitful tongue give, what shall it do to those that lie open to it? What shall a man get by living among such malicious deceitful men? Nothing but sharp arrows and coals of juniper,? all the mischiefs of a false and spiteful tongue, Ps. 57:4. Woe is me, says David, that I am forced to dwell among such, that I sojourn in Mesech and Kedar. Not that David dwelt... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:7

I am for peace ,.... Am wholly peace; a man of peace, as Aben Ezra; of a peaceable disposition, devoted to peace; love it, seek and pursue it, as every good man does, who is called to it, and in whose heart it rules: such follow peace with all men, and the things which make for it; and, as much as in them lies, endeavour to live peaceably with all; but when I speak, they are for war ; make a motion for peace, and propose the terms of it, they declare against it, and for war: or when... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:7

I am for peace - We love to be quiet and peaceable; but they are continually engaged in excursions of rapine and plunder. It is evident that the psalmist refers to a people like the Scenitae or wandering Arabs, who live constantly in tents, and subsist by robbery; plundering and carrying away all that they can seize. The poor captives wished them to cultivate the arts of peace, and live quietly; but they would hear of nothing but their old manner of life. 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 120:7

I am for peace ; literally, I am peace; but the meaning is as given in the Authorized Version. But when I speak ( i . e . when I speak to them of peace), they are for war ; i . e . they are utterly averse to peace, and are bent on continual hostility. The general history bears out this statement. There is only one apparent exception. When the Jews returned from the Captivity and began to build the temple, the Samaritans offered to join with them ( Ezra 4:2 ). But the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:7

The misery of the war-spirit to peace-lovers. "I am for peace," is literally, "I am peace." This is my very nature; so I instinctively revolt from all this slander and quarrelling and contention. Associating the passage with the restored exiles, it may be noticed that the one thing absolutely essential to their well-being was a state of quietness and peace. They had plenty to do. Jerusalem, its houses, walls, anti temple, to rebuild. Civil and ecclesiastical order to re-establish, and a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:7

I am for peace - Margin, “A man of peace.” Literally, “I (am) peace.” It is my nature. I desire to live in peace. I strive to do so. I do nothing to provoke a quarrel. I would do anything which would be right to pacify others. I would make any sacrifices, yield to any, demands, consent to any arrangements which would promise peace.But when I speak - When I say anything on the subject, when I propose any new arrangements, when I suggest any changes, when I give utterance to my painful feelings,... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 120:5-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:7

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 120:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 120:7

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

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