Psalm 120:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.

NIV: A song of ascents. I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.

NASB: I cried to the Lord in my trouble, And He answered me.

CSB: A song of ascents. In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.

NLT: I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

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

NKJV: {A Song of Ascents.} In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me.

Psalm 120:1–2 records the psalmist’s prayer to be kept safe from liars and their deceptions. This request was granted. Later, the writer will mention Meshech and Kedar (Psalm 120:5), whose people seem to be the source of his concerns.

The psalmist refers to his prayers for protection against lies and liars, hoping the deceptive ones will experience judgment. This is depicted in the form of arrows and burning coals. The writer is currently traveling among the people of Kedar and Meshech, whom he seems to associate with dishonesty and violence.

Fifteen psalms (Psalms 120—134) are labeled as "a song of ascents.” These are believed to have been used when people traveled to Jerusalem for festivals; this meant going “up” to Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). This particular song suggests someone who could not attend the feast because he lived too far away. Meshech (Genesis 10:2) was possibly in modern-day Turkey and seems to have been violently at war with Assyria.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/24/2024 11:16:01 AM