Psalm 120

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 120

This psalm is the first of those fifteen which are here put together under the title of ?songs of degrees.? It is well that it is not material what the meaning of that title should be, for nothing is offered towards the explication of it, no, not by the Jewish writers themselves, but what is conjectural. These psalms do not seem to be composed all by the same hand, much less all at the same time. Four of them are expressly ascribed to David, and one is said to be designed for Solomon, and... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 120 A Song of degrees . This psalm, and the fourteen following, are called "songs of degrees", or "ascents" F15 שיר למצלות "canticum ascensionum", Munster, Vatablus. ; for what reason it is not easy to say. Some think it refers to the music of them, and that this is the name of the tune to which they were set; or the first word of a song according to which they were sung, as Aben Ezra; or that they were sung with an higher voice, or an ascending note, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:1

In my distress I cried unto the Lord ,.... Being at a distance from his own country, or, however, from the house of God; persecuted by men, under the lash of their tongues; reproached, abused, and belied by them: in this his case and circumstances, he betook himself by prayer to the Lord, and importuned help and deliverance of him, knowing that none could help him as he; see Psalm 18:6 ; and he heard me ; answered him, and delivered him. The petition he put up follows, which shows his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:2

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Not from such lips, and such a tongue of his own, which David abhorred; though every good man desires to be kept from speaking lies and deceit; nor from the company of those who have such lips and tongues, which he was determined should not dwell with him; but from the malignity of them, from being hurt in his character and reputation by them; God can restrain them, and prevent the ill influence of them when he pleases,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee ?.... Or, "what shall it give unto thee?" F19 מה יתן לך "quid dabit tibi", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Gejerus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. That is, what shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee, O my soul? or to thee, to anyone that hears and reads this psalm? It is capable of giving thee a deal of trouble, of doing thee a deal of mischief; and of injuring thy character, and hurting thy peace and comfort, if permitted; or what... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:5

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech ,.... Meshech was a son of Japheth, Genesis 10:2 ; whose posterity are thought by some to be the Muscovites F26 Davide de Pomis, Lexic. fol. 86. 1. 3. and Scythians, a barbarous sort of people: Mesech is frequently mentioned with Tubal and his brother, and with Gog and Magog, Ezekiel 38:2 ; the Targum here calls them Asiatics. Rather the Cappadocians, according to Josephus F1 Antiqu. l. 1. c. 6. ; and Strabo F2 Geograph. l. 12. p. 370.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 120:6

My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. The God of peace, against whom their carnal minds are enmity itself; Christ, the Prince of peace, the Man, the Peace, who has made peace by the blood of his cross, whom the world hates; the sons of peace, the quiet in the land, against whom the wicked devise evil things; the Gospel of peace, which the natural man abhors as foolishness; the way of peace, pardon, and salvation by Christ, which carnal men know not, and do not approve of; and... read more

Group of Brands