Psalm 120:1
New International Version
A song of ascents. I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

New Living Translation
I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

English Standard Version
In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

Berean Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.

King James Bible
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

New King James Version
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, And He heard me.

New American Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. I cried to the LORD in my trouble, And He answered me.

NASB 1995
A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.

NASB 1977
In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I called to Yahweh, And He answered me.

Amplified Bible
A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.

Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me.”

American Standard Version
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.

Contemporary English Version
When I am in trouble, I pray,

English Revised Version
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he answered me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A song for going up to worship.] When I was in trouble, I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me.

Good News Translation
When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

International Standard Version
I cried to the LORD in my distress, and he responded to me.

Majority Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.

NET Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried out to the LORD and he answered me.

New Heart English Bible
[A Song of Ascents.] In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.

World English Bible
A Song of Ascents. In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. I have called to YHWH in my distress, "" And He answers me.

Young's Literal Translation
A Song of the Ascents. Unto Jehovah in my distress I have called, And He answereth me.

Smith's Literal Translation
Song of ascensions. I called to Jehovah in straits to me, and he will answer me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Canticle in steps. When troubled, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me.

New American Bible
A song of ascents. The LORD answered me when I called in my distress:

New Revised Standard Version
In my distress I cry to the LORD, that he may answer me:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
IN my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To LORD JEHOVAH in my suffering I cried, and he answered me!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I called unto the LORD, And He answered me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Song of Degrees. In mine affliction I cried to the Lord, and he hearkened to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
In My Distress I Cried to the LORD
1A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. 2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.…

Cross References
Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 118:5
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.

Jonah 2:2
saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.

2 Samuel 22:7
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried out to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears.

Lamentations 3:55-56
I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”

Psalm 86:7
In the day of my distress I call on You, because You answer me.

Psalm 116:1-2
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy. / Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

Psalm 142:1-2
A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy. / I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

James 5:13
Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.

Romans 10:13
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.


Treasury of Scripture

In my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.

Title - A Song of Degrees.

Psalm 121:1
A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Psalm 122:1
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Psalm 123:1
A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

my distress

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psalm 30:7,8
LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled…

Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

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Psalm 120
1. David prays against Doeg
3. Reproves his tongue
5. Complains of his necessary conversation with the wicked














A song of ascents.
This phrase indicates that Psalm 120 is part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of Psalms (120-134) traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The term "ascents" reflects both the physical journey to the elevated city of Jerusalem and a spiritual ascent towards God. The pilgrimage symbolizes the believer's journey towards spiritual maturity and deeper communion with God. Historically, these songs were likely used during the Second Temple period, and their themes often reflect the challenges and hopes of the returning exiles.

In my distress
The psalmist begins by acknowledging a state of distress, a common theme in the Psalms where the writer often finds themselves in trouble or facing adversaries. This distress could be personal, communal, or national, reflecting the struggles of the Israelites throughout their history, such as oppression by foreign nations or internal strife. The term "distress" evokes the broader biblical narrative of God's people crying out for deliverance, reminiscent of the Israelites' cries in Egypt (Exodus 3:7).

I cried to the LORD,
The act of crying out to the LORD signifies a deep, earnest prayer, a reliance on God as the ultimate source of help and deliverance. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God is seen as a protector and deliverer. The psalmist's cry is an act of faith, trusting in God's willingness and ability to respond. This phrase connects to other biblical instances where individuals or the nation cry out to God, such as Hannah's prayer for a child (1 Samuel 1:10) or the Israelites' plea for deliverance from their enemies (Judges 3:9).

and He answered me.
The assurance that God answers prayer is a central tenet of faith, demonstrating His faithfulness and responsiveness to His people. This response is not always immediate or in the expected manner, but it is certain. The phrase underscores the personal relationship between the psalmist and God, highlighting God's attentiveness and care. This assurance is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Jeremiah 33:3, where God promises to answer those who call on Him. It also prefigures the New Testament promise of answered prayer through Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14), who is the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
The author of Psalm 120, traditionally attributed to David, who expresses personal distress and reliance on God.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and relationship with His people.

3. Distress
The situation or condition of suffering or trouble that prompts the psalmist to cry out to God.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Distress
Distress is a common human experience, and the Bible acknowledges it as part of life. Believers should not be surprised by it but see it as an opportunity to turn to God.

The Power of Prayer
The psalmist's response to distress is to cry out to the LORD. This teaches us the importance of prayer as a first response, not a last resort.

God's Faithfulness in Answering
The assurance that God answers prayer is a central theme. Believers can trust that God hears and responds, even if the answer is not immediate or as expected.

Encouragement to Seek God
This verse encourages believers to seek God earnestly in times of trouble, knowing that He is attentive to their cries.

Building a Relationship with God
Regular communication with God through prayer strengthens our relationship with Him and builds our faith in His faithfulness.Verse 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, 5.) and restoration of the wails of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:19, 20; Nehemiah 4:1-23; Nehemiah 6:2-14). But these guesses are scarcely of much value.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Song
שִׁ֗יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

of Ascents.
הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת (ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

In my distress
בַּצָּרָ֣תָה (baṣ·ṣā·rā·ṯāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6869: Tightness, a female rival

I cried
קָ֝רָ֗אתִי (qā·rā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and He answered me.
וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃ (way·ya·‘ă·nê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond


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OT Poetry: Psalm 120:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:176
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