Cry for Deliverance
The psalmist begins with a plea for deliverance from deceitful tongues. In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me (Psalm 120:1). This highlights the importance of turning to God in times of trouble.

The Power of Words
The psalmist laments the destructive nature of lies and deceit. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue (Psalm 120:2). Words can wound deeply, and the psalmist seeks God's intervention against falsehood.

Divine Justice
The psalmist trusts in God's justice, asking what will be given to the deceitful tongue. What will He do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue? (Psalm 120:3). This reflects a belief in God's righteous judgment.

Longing for Peace
The psalmist expresses a deep desire for peace amidst conflict. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war (Psalm 120:7). This tension between the desire for peace and the reality of conflict is a common human experience.Seek God in Distress
When faced with deceit and hostility, turn to God in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

Guard Your Words
Be mindful of the power of your words, striving to speak truth and avoid deceit.

Trust in God's Justice
Rest in the assurance that God sees all and will bring justice in His perfect timing.

Pursue Peace
Actively seek peace in your relationships, even when others may not reciprocate.1. The Psalmist
The primary speaker in Psalm 120, who is crying out to the Lord in distress. The psalmist seeks deliverance from lying lips and deceitful tongues. The Hebrew root for "psalmist" is not explicitly mentioned, but the speaker is traditionally understood to be David or another individual expressing personal lament.

2. The LORD
Referred to as the one whom the psalmist calls upon for help. The Hebrew name used is "Yahweh" (יהוה), which is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness.

3. Deceitful Tongues
While not a person per se, deceitful tongues represent those who speak lies and falsehoods against the psalmist. The Hebrew word for "tongue" is "lashon" (לָשׁוֹן), which can metaphorically refer to speech or language.

4. Meshech and Kedar
These are not individuals but rather regions or peoples. The psalmist mentions dwelling among them as a metaphor for living among hostile or deceitful people. Meshech is associated with distant lands, and Kedar with nomadic tribes, both symbolizing foreign and potentially adversarial environments.

In summary, Psalm 120 primarily involves the psalmist, the LORD, deceitful tongues, and metaphorical references to Meshech and Kedar. The focus is on the psalmist's plea for divine intervention against deceit and hostility.1. Meshech
In Psalm 120:5, the psalmist laments, "Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech." Meshech is often associated with a distant and foreign land, possibly located in the region of modern-day Turkey. In the Hebrew context, it represents a place far from the psalmist's homeland, symbolizing alienation and distress.

2. Kedar
The verse continues, "that I dwell among the tents of Kedar." Kedar refers to a nomadic tribe known for their tents, located in the Arabian Desert. In the Hebrew context, Kedar symbolizes a place of hostility and conflict, contrasting with the peace the psalmist seeks.1. Cry for Deliverance
The psalmist begins by expressing a cry to the Lord for deliverance from distress. The Hebrew root word for "distress" (צָרָה, tsarah) conveys a sense of being in a tight or narrow place, indicating the psalmist's urgent need for help.
^"In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me."^ (Psalm 120:1)

2. Plea for Rescue from Deceit
The psalmist pleads for rescue from lying lips and deceitful tongues. The Hebrew word for "lying" (שֶׁקֶר, sheker) emphasizes falsehood and deception, highlighting the psalmist's desire for truth and integrity.
^"Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue."^ (Psalm 120:2)

3. Question of Retribution
The psalmist questions what will be given or done to the deceitful tongue, suggesting a desire for divine justice. This reflects a belief in God's righteous judgment against falsehood.
^"What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?"^ (Psalm 120:3)

4. Imagery of Divine Judgment
The psalmist uses vivid imagery to describe the consequences for deceit, mentioning sharp arrows and burning coals. The Hebrew word for "sharp" (שָׁנוּן, shanun) and "coals" (רֶתֶם, retem) convey the severity and intensity of divine retribution.
^"Sharp arrows of the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!"^ (Psalm 120:4)

5. Expression of Woe
The psalmist expresses woe over dwelling among hostile people, specifically mentioning Meshech and Kedar. These names symbolize distant and hostile regions, reflecting the psalmist's sense of alienation and longing for peace.
^"Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!"^ (Psalm 120:5)

6. Desire for Peace
The psalmist laments living among those who hate peace, contrasting his own desire for peace with the hostility of others. The Hebrew word for "peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) encompasses well-being, harmony, and completeness.
^"Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace."^ (Psalm 120:6)

7. Declaration of Peaceful Intentions
The psalmist declares his peaceful intentions, despite the warlike nature of those around him. This highlights the psalmist's commitment to peace in the face of adversity.
^"I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war."^ (Psalm 120:7)James 3:5-6
So too, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.Pray for deliverance from any deceit or falsehood you may be facing.
Ask God for wisdom and self-control in your speech, that you may speak truth and life.
Seek God's peace in your heart and relationships, even amidst conflict.
Pray for those who oppose you, that they may come to know God's truth and peace.

1. How does Psalm 120 resonate with your personal experiences of deceit and conflict?

2. In what ways does the psalmist's plea for deliverance reflect your own prayers in times of distress?

3. How might the psalmist's yearning for peace inspire you to seek peace in your life?

4. If you were in the psalmist's place, surrounded by deceit and conflict, how would you react?

5. How do you interpret the punishment mentioned for the deceitful in verses 3-4? How does this shape your understanding of divine justice?

6. What can be learned from the psalmist's feeling of exile in Meshech and living among the tents of Kedar?

7. How does the psalmist's dependency on God in times of trouble inspire your faith?

8. In your life, how do you navigate situations where you feel surrounded by deceitful people or strife?

9. How do you relate to the psalmist's profound longing for peace amidst war?

10. What contemporary situations does this Psalm bring to mind? Are there areas in your life where you feel you're 'living in Meshech' or 'dwelling in the tents of Kedar'?

11. How might you apply the lessons from Psalm 120 in your daily life?

12. How does this Psalm help you understand the power of prayer in times of distress?

13. What does this Psalm teach about patience and hope in God's deliverance?

14. How can Psalm 120 inspire us to promote peace in our communities?

15. In times of personal distress, how can one maintain a sense of hope and peace as illustrated in this Psalm?

16. How can you cope with the feeling of living in a world that often relishes in war and deceit, as the psalmist describes?

17. How does Psalm 120 guide us to respond to personal deceit and conflict in a faith-centered way?

18. In light of Psalm 120, how should one deal with a world where truth is often distorted?

19. How does Psalm 120 relate to the broader theme of the Songs of Ascents?

20. Based on the message of this Psalm, how can you pray for those in your life who are dealing with deceit or conflict?