Psalm 120:1-2

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 120:1

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:1

In my distress - Through the causes afterwards mentioned. I cried unto the Lord - Made strong supplication for help. And he heard one - Answered my prayer by comforting my soul. It appears to be a prayer of the captives in Babylon for complete liberty; or perhaps he recites the prayer the Israelites had made previously to their restoration. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:2

Lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue - From a people without faith, without truth, without religion; who sought by lies and calumnies to destroy them. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:1

Verse 1 1.I cried to Jehovah in my distress. The name of the author of the Psalm is not expressed, but the style of it throughout presents David to our view. Although, therefore, I cannot positively affirm, yet I am rather inclined to think that it was composed by him. Nor will it be improper, in my judgment, to explain it as if his name had been mentioned in the inscription. This, then, being granted, I would observe that although David, when in this verse he affirms that the Lord had heard... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:2

Verse 2 2.O Jehovah! deliver my soul from the lip of falsehood. David now points out the kind of his affliction, declaring that he was loaded with false accusations. In charging his enemies with lying and falsehood, he asserts his own innocence of the crimes which they slanderously imputed to him. His complaint therefore amounts to this, that as he was conscious of having committed no fault, he was assaulted by the wicked contrary to all law, human and divine, and that they brought him into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1

In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me . The particular "distress' intended can only be conjectured. Some suppose it to be the Captivity itself, others the opposition offered by the Samaritans, Ammonites, and others to the rebuilding of the temple ( Ezra 4:1-24 ; Ezra 5:1-17 .) and restoration of the wails of Jerusalem ( Nehemiah 2:19 , Nehemiah 2:20 ; Nehemiah 4:1-23 ; Nehemiah 6:2-14 ). But these guesses are scarcely of much value. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1

A dark fact explained and illuminated. The dark fact is human distress; the explanation is the prayer it leads to; the illumination, the answer it brings. We have here— I. A TOO RARE PERSONAGE . " In my distress, I ," etc. It is by no means every one who does this. 1. Some blaspheme— curse God in their hearts. 2. Others east off all faith— say, "There is no God." Many have done this. 3. Others harden their hearts , as Pharaoh did. 4. Others plunge... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 120:1-2

The misery made by the untruthful. This is the first of fifteen psalms that are called "Songs of Degrees;" Revised Version, " Songs of Ascent;" literally, "Songs of Going up." The association of them with the journeying of country pilgrims to the feasts at Jerusalem is somewhat fanciful. These psalms are naturally explained as "Songs of Heart-uplifting." The key-note of them all is looking up out of some present distress, and seeking the help of God. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the... read more

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