Psalms · Chapter 120 of 150

Psalm 120

The psalmist prays to God to deliver him from false and malicious tongues. · He complains of wicked neighbours.

1A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. 2Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. 3What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? 4Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! 6My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. 7I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

King James Version (1769) · public domain

About Psalms

Psalm 120 commentary

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), public domain.

Verses 1-4

The psalmist was brought into great distress by a deceitful tongue. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. They forged false charges against him. In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. God can bridle their tongues. He obtained a gracious answer to this prayer. Surely sinners durst not act as they do, if they knew, and would be persuaded to think, what will be in the end thereof. The terrors of the Lord are his arrows; and his wrath is compared to burning coals of juniper, which have a fierce heat, and keep fire very long. This is the portion of the false tongue; for all that love and make a lie, shall have their portion in the lake that burns eternally.

Verses 5-7

It is very grievous to a good man, to be cast into, and kept in the company of the wicked, from whom he hopes to be for ever separated. See here the character of a good man; he is for living peaceably with all men. And let us follow David as he prefigured Christ; in our distress let us cry unto the Lord, and he will hear us. Let us follow after peace and holiness, striving to overcome evil with good.

Key verses in Psalm 120

  • Psalms 120:1

    A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.

  • Psalms 120:2

    Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

  • Psalms 120:6

    My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

  • Psalms 120:5

    Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

  • Psalms 120:3

    What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?