Psalm 120:4

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 120:1-7

CXX. Prayer Against Calumniators.— Here begin the Psalms of Ascents, i.e. Pss. intended to be sung by the pilgrims at the three great feasts on their way up to Jerusalem, which stood on a height. Psalms 120-134 all bear this title (see also Psalms 84:5). The title “ Psalms of Ascents” may have been originally given to the collection and then written over each Ps. individually. Psalms 120:1-Numbers : . “ What shall he ( i.e. Yahweh) give unto thee?” The punishment is in accordance with the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 120:4

So this verse contains an answer to the question Psalms 120:3, and declares the slanderer’s recompence; which is the wrath and vengeance of the mighty God, which in Scripture, and particularly in this book, is oft compared to at. rows, as Psalms 7:13,Psalms 7:14, &c, and here to arrows of the mighty, i.e. shot by the hands of a strong man; and to coals, Psalms 140:10, and here to coals of juniper, which being kindled burn very fiercely, and retain their heat for a long time. And the... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Psalms 120:1-7

THE SONGS OF DEGREESPsalms 120-134GENERAL INTRODUCTIONThe principal hypotheses on which to account for the “Songs of Degrees,” “Songs of Ascents,” “Pilgrim Psalms,” and to each of which great names are attached, and each of which has something to say for itself, are as follows:—1. The songs of the pilgrims returning from exile (Syr. Chrysostom, Theodoret). 2. The songs chanted by the Temple worshippers on each of the fifteen steps of the Temple (The Rabbins, Gospel of Mary, Vulg.—Luther,... 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 120:4

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 120:4

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

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Psalms 120:4

Sharp: etc. or, It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man, with coals of juniper. Psalms 57:4, Psalms 59:7, Proverbs 11:9, Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 11:18, Proverbs 16:27, Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 18:21, James 3:5-Ruth : arrows: Psalms 7:13, Psalms 52:5, Psalms 140:9, Psalms 140:11, Deuteronomy 32:23, Deuteronomy 32:24, Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 19:9, Revelation 21:8 Reciprocal: Judges 9:20 - let fire come out 1 Chronicles 1:29 - Kedar Job 20:26 - a fire Psalms 18:13 - coals... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.Arrows — The wrath and vengeance of the mighty God, which in scripture is often compared to arrows, and here to coals of juniper, which burn very fiercely and retain their heat for a long time. read more

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