PSALMS 120

PSALM 120

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB	NKJV	NRSV	TEV	NJB
Prayer for Deliverance from the Treacherous MT Intro A Song of Ascents	Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes	An Exile's Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies (A Lament)	A Prayer for Help	The Enemies of Peace
120:1-4	120:1-2	120:1-2	120:1-2	120:1-2
	120:3-4	120:3-4	120:3-4	120:3-4
120:5-7	120:5-7	120:5-7	120:5-7	120:5
				120:6-7

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

I do not believe the MT superscriptions are inspired. They are present in the LXX but not in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Often they reflect Jewish traditions but often are historically incorrect.
It seems there are several Psalms that may be related by theme and vocabulary. These are often referred to as "The Songs of Ascent" (i.e., Psalm 120-134).
This title is understood to refer to Jewish pilgrims approaching Jerusalem for a feast day. It was a physical climb and, thereby called "an ascent."

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 120:1-4
¹In my trouble I cried to the Lord,
And He answered me.
²Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,
From a deceitful tongue.
³What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,
You deceitful tongue?
⁴Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With the burning coals of the broom tree.

120:1 "In my trouble" Exactly what trouble (BDB 865 I, FEMININE NOUN) is not stated but it is somehow related to

lying lips, Ps. 120:2a
deceitful tongue, Ps. 120:2b,3b

The etymological root of the related VERB (BDB 864) denotes that which binds or restrains. Used as imagery for something narrow, tight, or in a constricted place. The same root is used of an adversary or foe (BDB 865 III).

This concept of "restriction" is opposite of the Hebrew imagery of spaciousness, openness, and freedom.

▣ "I cried to the Lord" In times of distress faithful followers turn to YHWH in prayer and He hears (the VERBS denote a past event).

The name for Deity is YHWH, the covenant name for Israel's God.

SPECIAL TOPIC: EFFECTIVE PRAYER

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.

▣ "He answered me" This is unusual in the sense that the psalmist is not asking for YHWH's help but acknowledging that He already has.

120:2 "Deliver my soul" The VERB (BDB 664, KB 717) is a Hiphil IMPERATIVE. It denotes an intense prayer. The basic meaning of this root in the Hiphil is to "snatch away," like prey from a predator's mouth.

The NET Bible suggests that vv. 2-7 may be that what the psalmist prayed for YHWH answered.

The term "soul" (BDB 659) is nephesh, which denotes a life force. See full note online at Gen. 35:18.

SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH

▣ "lying lips. . .deceitful tongue" These are in a Hebrew synonymous parallel relationship.

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETRY

120:3 The psalmist addresses his opponents directly. He asserts that YHWH will give them what they deserve (AB, p. 196; UBS Handbook, p. 1048).

120:4
NASB, JPSOA	"with the burning coals of the broom tree"
NKJV	"with the coals of the broom tree"
NRSV	"with glowing coals of the broom tree"
NJB, REB, TEV	"and red-hot charcoal"
LXX	"with desolating coals"
Peshitta	"as they are hot coals of oak"

The UBS, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, p. 100, identifies this bushy desert plant used by Bedouins to make charcoal (cf. 1 Kgs. 19:4,5; Job 30:4). This hot burning wood would be used to make arrows.

The imagery of Ps. 120:4 is the answer to the question of Ps. 120:3. This is how YHWH will respond to these "lying tongues" (cf. Ps. 7:13).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 120:5-7
⁵Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech,
For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
⁶Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who hate peace.
⁷I am for peace, but when I speak,
They are for war.

120:5 "Woe is me" This is a unique spelling of the common Hebrew INTERJECTION "alas" or "woe" (BDB 17, KB 21).

▣ "Meshech. . .Kedar" These seem to be examples of exploitation (cf. Ezek. 27:13,21). Possibly the psalmist is attributing to his opponents the violent, sinful qualities of these national groups.

The other option is to see these as geographical opposites, one to the far north, the other to the south. If so, then it is imagery of

"deliver me far from these hateful people"
"please let me not be so far from the temple"

120:6-7 This hints at the psalmist's attackers as being political enemies who want military conflict.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

Who is attacking the psalmist?
Explain the imagery of Ps. 120:4.
Why are two ethnic groups mentioned in Ps. 120:5?
How do Ps. 120:6 and 7 explain or define the possible historical setting?