#872 Distress

In my distress I called to the Lord,

and he answered me.

2 Deliver me, O Lord,

from lying lips,

from a deceitful tongue.

3 What shall be given to you,

and what more shall be done to you,

you deceitful tongue?

4 A warrior's sharp arrows,

with glowing coals of the broom tree!

5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I had my dwelling

among those who hate peace.

7 I am for peace,

but when I speak, they are for war! Psalm 120 ESV

A song of Ascents. The first in a series of 15 Psalms that some would associate with steps or to bring up.

- “We shall consider them as songs sung by those pilgrims who went up to Jerusalem to worship… These songs of desire, and hope, and approach are appropriate for the pilgrims’ use as they go up to worship.” (G. Campbell Morgan) This being likely so, then we know that Jesus sang these songs on His many journeys to Jerusalem from Galilee.

- Who wrote or collected these Psalms is not known. “The author of these fifteen Psalms is not known; and most probably they were not the work of one person. They have been attributed to David, to Solomon, to Ezra, to Haggai, to Zechariah, and to Malachi, without any positive evidence. They are, however, excellent in their kind, and written with much elegance; containing strong and nervous sentiments of the most exalted piety, expressed with great felicity of language in a few words.” (Adam Clarke)

In my distress I called to the Lord - I am not certain of who the writer is, and so not the situation either, but the principal is universal. It has been my sad experience that it takes much pressure to bring me to call out, yet we are told to pray without ceasing. If this has brought him to such a place then the situation cannot be trivial or even considered only to it's ill, but if you are God's child and it has brought you to pray, know that all things work together for good. 

…6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.… Philippians 4: 6-8

And He answered me - The best answers from God are the ones I cannot with reason perceive, and though I gave Him the play book of what would work best, according to my limited wisdom, yet He answers in His own time and way, according to His good purpose. Some times the best and most honest petition is "Lord, save me." Prayer builds relationship, which builds trust, and though we would prefer a crystal ball or a 12 step self help program, that is not faith.

…5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.… Hebrews 11: 5-7

Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue - When people believe what is not true about you it can be most distressing, but what better place to plead your case. God knows and if it is only slander then other men may be hard to convince of the truth, but God is quite aware. We should also pray this of our own tongues, for much evil comes of speaking what we do not know, taking someone's word against another and not considering the source. Thou shalt not lie, shalt not bear false witness, these should be written on our eyes and read before we speak. 

What shall be given to you - We reap what we sew. Lord, please put a guard before my mouth, extinguish the pride in my heart.

…25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.… James 1: 25-27

With glowing coals of the broom tree - Some describe the broom tree as a Juniper, and if the tongue as been shooting off darts, then judgment will bring these back upon it, but hold fast. The devil used but words in the garden, "hath God said." In our day there is a barrage of misinformation, malicious words, half truths which are whole lies; it is a race to get others to think evil of your opponent, truth would only get in the way. 

…15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.… Ephesians 6: 15-17

Woe to me that I sojourn in Meshech - This and Kedar describe barbaric tribes, bloody men, and perhaps the Psalmist did not dwell with either, but poetically compares his present company to these men. Sometimes I cannot very well differentiate between those in the building they call church and those outside. Sometimes I would prefer the company of the latter. 

- iii. “The verbs ‘dwell’ (garti, ‘sojourn’) and ‘live’ (sakanti, ‘tabernacle,’ ‘dwell’) are significantly chosen. Even though the psalmist may have enjoyed a permanent residence, he felt as if he was no more than a sojourner among his contemporaries. He did not feel at home among an ungodly people.” (VanGemeren)

Among those who hate peace - This would in no means be limited to any place, for they can be found everywhere in this world. 

I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war - Remember this started with lying lips, and where they are there will always be strife.