Teks -- Psalms 120:1-7 (NET)
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Wesley: Psa 120:4 - Arrows The wrath and vengeance of the mighty God, which in scripture is often compared to arrows, and here to coals of juniper, which burn very fiercely and ...
The wrath and vengeance of the mighty God, which in scripture is often compared to arrows, and here to coals of juniper, which burn very fiercely and retain their heat for a long time.
Wesley: Psa 120:5 - Mesech Mesech and Kedar are two sorts of people often mentioned in scripture, and reckoned amongst the barbarous nations. But their names are here to be unde...
Mesech and Kedar are two sorts of people often mentioned in scripture, and reckoned amongst the barbarous nations. But their names are here to be understood metaphorically. And so he explains himself in the next verse.
JFB: Psa 120:2-3 - -- This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Psa 121:1 --literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It se...
This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Psa 121:1 --literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It seems most probable they were designed for the use of the people when going up (compare 1Ki 12:27-28) to Jerusalem on the festival occasions (Deu 16:16), three times a year. David appears as the author of four, Solomon of one (Psa 127:1), and the other ten are anonymous, probably composed after the captivity. In this Psalm the writer acknowledges God's mercy, prays for relief from a malicious foe, whose punishment he anticipates, and then repeats his complaint. (Psa 120:1-7)
Slander and deceit charged on his foes implies his innocence.
Destructive inflictions.
JFB: Psa 120:4 - coals of juniper Which retain heat long. This verse may be read as a description of the wicked, but better as their punishment, in reply to the question of Psa 120:3.
Which retain heat long. This verse may be read as a description of the wicked, but better as their punishment, in reply to the question of Psa 120:3.
A residence in these remote lands pictures his miserable condition.
JFB: Psa 120:6-7 - -- While those who surrounded him were maliciously hostile, he was disposed to peace. This Psalm may well begin such a series as this, as a contrast to t...
While those who surrounded him were maliciously hostile, he was disposed to peace. This Psalm may well begin such a series as this, as a contrast to the promised joys of God's worship.
In my distress - Through the causes afterwards mentioned
I cried unto the Lord - Made strong supplication for help
Clarke: Psa 120:1 - And he heard one And he heard one - Answered my prayer by comforting my soul
It appears to be a prayer of the captives in Babylon for complete liberty; or perhaps he...
And he heard one - Answered my prayer by comforting my soul
It appears to be a prayer of the captives in Babylon for complete liberty; or perhaps he recites the prayer the Israelites had made previously to their restoration.
Clarke: Psa 120:2 - Lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue Lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue - From a people without faith, without truth, without religion; who sought by lies and calumnies to destroy ...
Lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue - From a people without faith, without truth, without religion; who sought by lies and calumnies to destroy them.
Clarke: Psa 120:3 - What shall be given unto thee? What shall be given unto thee? - Thou art worthy of the heaviest punishments.
What shall be given unto thee? - Thou art worthy of the heaviest punishments.
Clarke: Psa 120:4 - Sharp arrows Sharp arrows - The Chaldee has, "The strong, sharp arrows are like lightning from above, with coals of juniper kindled in hell beneath."On the junip...
Sharp arrows - The Chaldee has, "The strong, sharp arrows are like lightning from above, with coals of juniper kindled in hell beneath."On the juniper, see the note on Job 30:4, where this passage is explained. Fiery arrows, or arrows wrapped about with inflamed combustibles, were formerly used in sieges to set the places on fire. See my notes on Eph 6:16 (note).
Clarke: Psa 120:5 - That I sojourn in Mesech That I sojourn in Mesech - The Chaldee has it, "Wo is me that I am a stranger with the Asiatics, ( אוסאי useey ), and that I dwell in the tent...
That I sojourn in Mesech - The Chaldee has it, "Wo is me that I am a stranger with the Asiatics, (
Clarke: Psa 120:6 - My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace - A restless, barbarous, warlike, and marauding people.
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace - A restless, barbarous, warlike, and marauding people.
Clarke: Psa 120:7 - I am for peace I am for peace - We love to be quiet and peaceable; but they are continually engaged in excursions of rapine and plunder. It is evident that the psa...
I am for peace - We love to be quiet and peaceable; but they are continually engaged in excursions of rapine and plunder. It is evident that the psalmist refers to a people like the Scenitae or wandering Arabs, who live constantly in tents, and subsist by robbery; plundering and carrying away all that they can seize. The poor captives wished them to cultivate the arts of peace, and live quietly; but they would hear of nothing but their old manner of life
Calvin: Psa 120:1 - I cried to Jehovah in my distress 1.I cried to Jehovah in my distress The name of the author of the Psalm is not expressed, but the style of it throughout presents David to our view. ...
1.I cried to Jehovah in my distress The name of the author of the Psalm is not expressed, but the style of it throughout presents David to our view. Although, therefore, I cannot positively affirm, yet I am rather inclined to think that it was composed by him. Nor will it be improper, in my judgment, to explain it as if his name had been mentioned in the inscription. This, then, being granted, I would observe that although David, when in this verse he affirms that the Lord had heard him, gives thanks to him, yet his chief purpose was to set forth, in the form of complaint, how wickedly and cruelly Saul’s flatterers employed all their ingenuity and power to accomplish his destruction. He, however, sets out with an expression of his gratitude to God, telling us that he had not called upon Him in vain; and he does this, that by his own example he might encourage others, especially when oppressed with adversity, to confidence in prayer. Men, it is true, have need of God’s help every moment; but there is not a more suitable season for seeking him than when some great danger is immediately menacing us. It is therefore worthy of notice, that he was heard when, constrained and shut up by tribulation, he betook himself to the protection of God.
Calvin: Psa 120:2 - O Jehovah! deliver my soul from the lip of falsehood 2.O Jehovah! deliver my soul from the lip of falsehood David now points out the kind of his affliction, declaring that he was loaded with false accus...
2.O Jehovah! deliver my soul from the lip of falsehood David now points out the kind of his affliction, declaring that he was loaded with false accusations. In charging his enemies with lying and falsehood, he asserts his own innocence of the crimes which they slanderously imputed to him. His complaint therefore amounts to this, that as he was conscious of having committed no fault, he was assaulted by the wicked contrary to all law, human and divine, and that they brought him into hatred without his having given them any occasion for such injurious treatment. Deceitful tongues assault good and simple people in two ways’ they either circumvent them by wiles and snares, or wound their reputation by calumnies. It is of the second way that the Prophet here complains. Now if David, who was endued with such eminent virtue, and free from every mark of disgrace, and far removed from every wicked action, was yet assailed with contumely, is it to be wondered at if the children of God in the present day labor under false accusations, and that when they have endeavored to conduct themselves uprightly they are yet in reported of? As they have the devil for their enemy, it is indeed impossible for them to escape being loaded with his lies. Yea, we see that slanderous tongues did not spare even the Son of God — a consideration which should induce us to bear the more patiently our condition, when the wicked traduce us undeservedly; since it is certain that we have here described the common lot of the whole Church.
Calvin: Psa 120:3 - What shall the tongue of deceit give thee? 3.What shall the tongue of deceit give thee? 50 The Prophet aggravates the malice of his enemies by asserting that they were so wickedly inclined as ...
3.What shall the tongue of deceit give thee? 50 The Prophet aggravates the malice of his enemies by asserting that they were so wickedly inclined as to be driven to evil speaking when they saw no prospect of deriving any advantage from such a course of conduct. He however seems to express more than this, — he seems farther to intimate, that after they have poured forth all the venom of their calumnies, their attempts will nevertheless be vain and ineffectual. As God is the maintainer of the innocence of his servants, David, inspired with hope from this truth, rises up against them with heroic courage, as if about to triumph over the whole crowd of his calumniators, 51 reproaching them for doing nothing else than betraying an impotent passion for evil speaking, which God at length would cause to recoil upon their own heads. It is a consideration well fitted to assuage the grief of all the godly, when their good name is unrighteously wounded by calumniators, that such malicious characters will gain nothing thereby in the end, because God will disappoint their expectation.
Calvin: Psa 120:4 - The arrows of a strong man sharpened, with coals of juniper 4.The arrows of a strong man sharpened, with coals of juniper Here the Psalmist amplifies in another way the malice of such as distress the simple an...
4.The arrows of a strong man sharpened, with coals of juniper Here the Psalmist amplifies in another way the malice of such as distress the simple and innocent by their calumnies, affirming that they throw out their injurious reports just like a man who should draw an arrow, and with it pierce through the body of his neighbor; and that their calumnies were like coals of juniper, 52 which penetrate more effectually, and burn more intensely the substances with which they come in contact than the coals of any other kind of wood. The amount is, that the tongues of these slanderers were inflamed with the burning heat of fire, and, as it were, dipped in deadly poison; and that such persons were the less excusable, from the fact that, without deriving any advantage from it, they were impelled by an unbridled passion to inflict upon others deadly mischief. As the Prophet records nothing here which he did not experience in his own person, it may be inferred that if it behoved him and men of a similar character to be assailed by their enemies with lies, which were to them as arrows to pierce them, or coals to burn them, we need not be surprised at seeing the most eminent servants of God exercised with similar assaults.
Calvin: Psa 120:5 - Alas for me! that I have been a sojourner in Mesech 5.Alas for me! that I have been a sojourner in Mesech David complains that he was doomed to linger for a long time among a perverse people; his condi...
5.Alas for me! that I have been a sojourner in Mesech David complains that he was doomed to linger for a long time among a perverse people; his condition resembling that of some wretched individual who is compelled to live till he grows old in sorrowful exile. The Mesechites and Kedarenes, as is well known, were Eastern tribes; the former of which derived their original from Japhet, as Moses informs us in Gen 10:2; and the latter from a son of Ishmael. (Gen 25:13.) To take the latter for a people of Italy, who were anciently called Hetrurians, is altogether absurd, and without the least color of probability, Some ‘would have the word Mesech to be an appellative noun; and because
Calvin: Psa 120:6 - My soul 6.My soul 58 hath long dwelt with him who hateth peace. The Psalmist now shows, without figure, and, so to speak, points with the finger to those 5...
6.My soul 58 hath long dwelt with him who hateth peace. The Psalmist now shows, without figure, and, so to speak, points with the finger to those 59 whom he had before indirectly marked out by the terms Mesech and kedar, namely, the perfidious Israelites, who had degenerated from the holy fathers, and who rather wore the mask of Israelites than were the true seed of Israel. 60 He calls them haters of peace, 61 because they wilfully, and with deliberate malice, set themselves to make war upon the good and unoffending. To the same purpose he adds immediately after, that his heart was strongly inclined to seek after peace, or rather, that he was wholly devoted to it, and had tried every means in order to win their favor, but that the implacable cruelty of their disposition invariably impelled them to do him mischief. When he says, I peace, it is an abrupt, yet not an obscure expression, implying that he had not done them any injury or wrong which could give occasion for their hatred there having been always peace on his part. He even proceeds farther, asserting, that when he saw them inflamed with resentment against him, he endcavourcd to pacify them, and to bring them to a good understanding; for to speak, is here equivalent to offering conditions of peace in an amicable spirit, or to treating of reconciliation. From this it is still more apparent, how savage and brutal was the pride of David’s enemies, since they disdained even to speak with him — to speak with a man who had deserved well at their hands, and who had never in any respect injured them. We are taught by his example, that it is not enough for the faithful to abstain from hurting others: they must, moreover, study to allure them by gentleness, and to bend them to good will. Should their moderation and kindness be rejected, let them wait in patience, until God at length show himself from heaven as their protector. Let us, however, remember, that if God does not immediately stretch forth his hand in our behalf, it is our duty to bear the wearisomeness occasioned by delay, like David, whom we find in this Psalm giving, thanks to God for his deliverance, while, at the same time, as if worn out with the weariness of waiting for it, he bewails the long oppression to which he had been subjected by his enemies.
Defender: Psa 120:1 - In my distress Psalms 120 through 134 are the "songs of degrees." They are fifteen short psalms sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem to sacrifice and worship in t...
Psalms 120 through 134 are the "songs of degrees." They are fifteen short psalms sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem to sacrifice and worship in the temple. Five psalms were written by David (Psa 122:1-9, Psa 124:1-8, Psa 127:1-5, Psa 131:1-3, Psa 133:1-3); the other ten are anonymous. It could well be that Hezekiah was the author as the word "degrees" (which appears in each superscript) is the same as the "degrees" on the dial of Ahaz (Isa 38:8). As a sign to King Hezekiah that He would add fifteen years to his life (Isa 38:5, Isa 38:7) God had supernaturally caused the shadow on the sun dial to go back ten degrees. In commemoration of this gracious miracle Hezekiah promised to "sing my songs ... all the days of our life in the house of the Lord" (Isa 38:20). It would be appropriate for him to compose ten songs, one for each degree moved by the shadow, and then add five of David's songs to make fifteen, one for each year added to his life.
Defender: Psa 120:1 - he heard me The fifteen songs of degrees occur in a beautiful sequence. One could read them either as outlining the hope of Israel for future restoration and eter...
The fifteen songs of degrees occur in a beautiful sequence. One could read them either as outlining the hope of Israel for future restoration and eternal blessing or as a type of "Pilgrim's Progress," applicable to each believer as he or she progresses through the Christian life. The first in the series, Psa 120:1-7, is essentially a cry for salvation. Psa 121:1-8 gives assurance of salvation. Psa 122:1-9 speaks of fellowship with other believers. Psa 133:1-3 speaks of the end of the journey and Psa 134:1-3 of eternal praise and blessing."
Defender: Psa 120:5 - Mesech Mesech (same as Meshech) was far north of Israel, now probably represented by Moscow, whereas Kedar was far south in Arabia. Both are prophetically in...
Mesech (same as Meshech) was far north of Israel, now probably represented by Moscow, whereas Kedar was far south in Arabia. Both are prophetically indicated as enemies of Israel in the last days. They may also represent the state of someone living far away from God's will but longing for salvation."
TSK: Psa 120:1 - my distress my distress : Psa 18:6, Psa 30:7, Psa 30:8, Psa 50:15, Psa 107:13, Psa 116:3, Psa 116:4, Psa 118:5; Isa 37:3, Isa 37:4, Isa 37:14-20; Isa 38:2-5; Jon ...
my distress : Psa 18:6, Psa 30:7, Psa 30:8, Psa 50:15, Psa 107:13, Psa 116:3, Psa 116:4, Psa 118:5; Isa 37:3, Isa 37:4, Isa 37:14-20; Isa 38:2-5; Jon 2:2; Luk 22:44; Heb 5:7
TSK: Psa 120:2 - from lying lips from lying lips : Psa 35:11, Psa 52:2-4, Psa 109:1, Psa 109:2, Psa 140:1-3; Mat 26:59-62
from lying lips : Psa 35:11, Psa 52:2-4, Psa 109:1, Psa 109:2, Psa 140:1-3; Mat 26:59-62
TSK: Psa 120:3 - What shall // done What shall : etc. or, What shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee, or, What shall it profit thee, Job 27:8; Mat 16:26; Rom 6:21
done : Heb. added
TSK: Psa 120:4 - Sharp // arrows Sharp : etc. or, It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man, with coals of juniper. Psa 57:4, Psa 59:7; Pro 11:9, Pro 11:12, Pro 11:18, Pro 16:27, Pr...
TSK: Psa 120:5 - Woe // Mesech // the tents Woe : Jer 9:2, Jer 9:3, Jer 9:6, Jer 15:10; Mic 7:1, Mic 7:2; 2Pe 2:7, 2Pe 2:8; Rev 2:13
Mesech : Gen 10:2; Eze 27:13, Meshech.
the tents : Gen 25:13;...
TSK: Psa 120:7 - for peace // when for peace : or, a man of peace, Psa 34:14, Psa 35:20, Psa 55:20; 2Sa 20:19; Mat 5:9; Rom 12:18; Eph 2:14-17; Heb 12:14
when : 1Sa 24:9-11, 1Sa 26:2-4
for peace : or, a man of peace, Psa 34:14, Psa 35:20, Psa 55:20; 2Sa 20:19; Mat 5:9; Rom 12:18; Eph 2:14-17; Heb 12:14
when : 1Sa 24:9-11, 1Sa 26:2-4
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Poole: Psa 120:2 - From lying lips // From a deceitful tongue From lying lips from the unjust censures and malicious slanders of mine enemies, who traduce me as an egregious hypocrite, as a rebel and traitor.
F...
From lying lips from the unjust censures and malicious slanders of mine enemies, who traduce me as an egregious hypocrite, as a rebel and traitor.
From a deceitful tongue which covereth mischievous designs with pretences of kindness.
Poole: Psa 120:3 - What shall be given unto thee What shall be given unto thee whosoever thou art who art guilty of these practices? He applies himself severally to the consciences of every one of t...
What shall be given unto thee whosoever thou art who art guilty of these practices? He applies himself severally to the consciences of every one of them. Or he designs Doeg or some other person in Saul’ s court eminent for this wickedness. The sense may be this, It is true, thou dost me some mischief; but what benefit dost thou get by it, if all thy accounts be cast up? For although thou mayst thereby obtain some favour and advantage from Saul, yet thou wilt assuredly bring upon thyself the curse and vengeance of God; and then thou wilt be no gainer by the bargain. And to do mischief to another without benefit to thyself, is an inhuman and diabolical wickedness.
Poole: Psa 120:4 - coals of juniper So this verse contains an answer to the question Ps 120 3 , and declares the slanderer’ s recompence; which is the wrath and vengeance of the m...
So this verse contains an answer to the question Ps 120 3 , and declares the slanderer’ s recompence; which is the wrath and vengeance of the mighty God, which in Scripture, and particularly in this book, is oft compared to at. rows, as Psa 7:13,14 , &c, and here to arrows of the mighty , i.e. shot by the hands of a strong man; and to coals, Psa 140:10 , and here to
coals of juniper which being kindled burn very fiercely, and retain their heat for a long time. And the psalmist may possibly express it in these words, to show, the suitableness of the punishment to the sin; as thy tongue shoots arrows, (for so calumnies are called, Psa 57:4 64:3 ) and kindles coals, so thou shalt bring God’ s arrows and coals kindled by the fire of his wrath upon thyself. But according to the other translation, which is in the margin, this is a further declaration of the sin of calumny. Though, all things considered, it doth thee no good, yet it doth others much hurt, to whom it is like sharp arrows, &c.
Poole: Psa 120:5 - Mesech // Kedar Mesech and
Kedar are two sorts of people, oft mentioned in Scripture, and reckoned amongst the heathen and barbarous nations. But their nurses are ...
Mesech and
Kedar are two sorts of people, oft mentioned in Scripture, and reckoned amongst the heathen and barbarous nations. But their nurses are not here to be understood properly, (for we do not read that either David or the Israelites in the Babylonish captivity dwelt in their lands,) but only metaphorically, as the ungodly Israelites are called Sodom and Gomorrah, Isa 1:10 , and Amorites and Hittithes, Eze 16:3,45 , and as in common speech among us, men of an evil character are called Turks or Jews. And so he explains himself in the next verse by this description of them, him or them that hated peace, although David sought peace with them, Psa 120:7 . And so he speaks either,
1. Of the Philistines, among whom he sojourned for a time. But he did not seek peace with them, but sought their ruin, as the event showed; nor did they wage war against him, whilst he lived peaceably among them. Or rather,
2. The courtiers and soldiers of Saul, and the generality of the Israelites, who, to curry favour with Saul, sought David’ s ruin, and that many times by treachery and pretences of friendship; of which he oft complains in this book; whom as he elsewhere calls heathen , as Psa 9:5 59:5 , it is not strange if he compares them here to the savage Arabians. And amongst such persons David was oft forced to sojourn in Saul’ s time, and with them he sought peace by all ways possible; but they hated peace, and the more he pursued peace, the more eagerly did they prosecute the war, as it here follows.
Haydock: Psa 120:1 - Canticle // Mountains Canticle. David wrote this during his flight from Absalom; (Grotius) and de Muis judges from the martial air, that it was composed in the midst of d...
Canticle. David wrote this during his flight from Absalom; (Grotius) and de Muis judges from the martial air, that it was composed in the midst of danger. It relates to the captives, (Origen; Calmet) and to all in the pilgrimage of this world. (Berthier) ---
Mountains. Jerusalem, and heaven, whence all our help must come. God most readily hears the prayers which are poured forth in places appointed by him. (Worthington) ---
Jerusalem was situated among mountains, and the Jews turned towards it in prayer, Daniel vi. 10. They did not depend on human aid, Jeremias iii. 22.
Haydock: Psa 120:1 - Keepeth // Soul God is the keeper of his servants.
Keepeth. Hebrew also, "shall or may." The words of a prophet are always true, and the tenses are varied at plea...
God is the keeper of his servants.
Keepeth. Hebrew also, "shall or may." The words of a prophet are always true, and the tenses are varied at pleasure by St. Jerome, &c. (Berthier) ---
Soul, or spiritual life. (Worthington) (1 Peter i. 4.)
Haydock: Psa 120:3 - May May. Hebrew, "he will not." Many have read in the second person, both in the Hebrew and Septuagint, "Suffer not thy," &c. (Aquila; St. Augustine, ...
May. Hebrew, "he will not." Many have read in the second person, both in the Hebrew and Septuagint, "Suffer not thy," &c. (Aquila; St. Augustine, &c.) (Calmet)
Haydock: Psa 120:4 - Israel Israel. The Church militant. (Worthington) ---
These figurative expressions shew that God will never cease to protect his people. (Berthier)
Israel. The Church militant. (Worthington) ---
These figurative expressions shew that God will never cease to protect his people. (Berthier)
Hand. Always ready, Psalm xc. 4., and xv. 8. (Haydock)
Haydock: Psa 120:6 - Night Night. Neither prosperity nor adversity shall hurt thee, (St. Jerome) or the Church. (Worthington) ---
Cold is said to burn or parch up, Genesis x...
Night. Neither prosperity nor adversity shall hurt thee, (St. Jerome) or the Church. (Worthington) ---
Cold is said to burn or parch up, Genesis xxxi. 40. Justin (2) writes of the Scythians, Quanquam continuis frigoribut urantur, as the effects of extreme heat and cold are similar. The Jews were protected from both at their return; (Isaias iv. 6., and xlix. 10.; Calmet) though we may doubt of this explanation, as the text is applied to those in heaven, Apocalypse vii. 16. (Berthier)
Gill: Psa 120:1 - In my distress I cried unto the Lord // and he heard me In my distress I cried unto the Lord,.... Being at a distance from his own country, or, however, from the house of God; persecuted by men, under the l...
In my distress I cried unto the Lord,.... Being at a distance from his own country, or, however, from the house of God; persecuted by men, under the lash of their tongues; reproached, abused, and belied by them: in this his case and circumstances, he betook himself by prayer to the Lord, and importuned help and deliverance of him, knowing that none could help him as he; see Psa 18:6;
and he heard me; answered him, and delivered him. The petition he put up follows, which shows his case, and his particular distress.
Gill: Psa 120:2 - Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Not from such lips, and such a tongue of his own, which David abhorred; though...
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Not from such lips, and such a tongue of his own, which David abhorred; though every good man desires to be kept from speaking lies and deceit; nor from the company of those who have such lips and tongues, which he was determined should not dwell with him; but from the malignity of them, from being hurt in his character and reputation by them; God can restrain them, and prevent the ill influence of them when he pleases, Psa 31:20. Such were the lips and tongues of Doeg the Edomite, Psa 52:2, and of Saul's courtiers, who insinuated to him that David sought his hurt, 1Sa 24:9; and of the Scribes and Pharisees, that flattered Christ to his face, and reproached him to the people; and of Judas, that betrayed him with "Hail, master", Mat 26:49; and of the false witnesses suborned against him; and of false teachers, deceitful workers, that lie in wait to deceive, and, by their good words and fair speeches, do deceive the hearts of the simple; and of antichrist and his followers, who, as they are given up to believe a lie, speak lies in hypocrisy; and of Satan the father of lies, and who is the old serpent, the devil, that deceives the whole world: and to be delivered from the bad effects of such lips and tongues is very desirable.
Gill: Psa 120:3 - What shall be given unto thee // or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue What shall be given unto thee?.... Or, "what shall it give unto thee?" s That is, what shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee, O my soul? or to th...
What shall be given unto thee?.... Or, "what shall it give unto thee?" s That is, what shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee, O my soul? or to thee, to anyone that hears and reads this psalm? It is capable of giving thee a deal of trouble, of doing thee a deal of mischief; and of injuring thy character, and hurting thy peace and comfort, if permitted;
or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? or, "what shall the false tongue add unto thee?" t it shall increase thy sorrows and distress: or rather, what gain, profit, and advantage, shall the deceitful tongue get to itself by its lies and deceit? none at all; it may do harm to others, but gets no good to itself; see Isa 28:15; Or, "what shall he (God) give unto thee?" u or, "what shall he add unto thee, thou false tongue?" so Jarchi. What punishment will not he inflict upon thee, who hates lying lips? what plagues will not he add unto thee, who knows all the deceit that is in thee, and spoken by thee? The answer is as follows:
Gill: Psa 120:4 - Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Some think these words describe lying lips, and a false tongue; which are like arrows, sharp ones, ...
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Some think these words describe lying lips, and a false tongue; which are like arrows, sharp ones, sent out from a bow drawn with a mighty hand, which come with great force, suddenly and swiftly, and do much mischief; see Psa 11:2; and to "coals of juniper", very distressing and tormenting; the tongue being a fire, set on fire of hell, and sets on fire the course of nature; and throws out devouring words, which consume like fire, Jam 3:6. But rather the punishment of an evil tongue from the Lord is intended, whose sore judgments are often compared to arrows, Deu 32:23; because they come from above, and bring swift and sudden destruction with them; and are very sharp in the hearts of his enemies; are very severe and cutting, and come with power irresistible, being the arrows of the Almighty, Job 6:4; see Jer 50:9; and these may be compared to "coals of juniper", which are very vehement and strong, and very lasting and durable. Jerom w and Isidore x say they will last a whole year; and the Midrash on the place reports of two men, who had prepared food with them, and at the end of a year returned and found them burning, and warmed their feet at them. These fitly express the lake of fire and brimstone, the portion of liars; whose fire is very strong, and flames devouring, being kindled by the breath of the Lord of hosts, like a stream of brimstone: and the fire of hell is everlasting; its burnings are everlasting burnings; a worm that dieth not, a fire that is not quenched; the smoke of the torments of which ascend for ever and ever, Isa 30:23. The Targum speaks of these arrows as lightnings from above, and of the coals of juniper as kindled in hell below; and they are interpreted of hell in the Talmud y.
Gill: Psa 120:5 - Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech // that I dwell in the tents of Kedar Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech,.... Meshech was a son of Japheth, Gen 10:2; whose posterity are thought by some to be the Muscovites z and Scythi...
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech,.... Meshech was a son of Japheth, Gen 10:2; whose posterity are thought by some to be the Muscovites z and Scythians, a barbarous sort of people: Mesech is frequently mentioned with Tubal and his brother, and with Gog and Magog, Eze 38:2; the Targum here calls them Asiatics. Rather the Cappadocians, according to Josephus a; and Strabo b makes mention of a city of theirs, called Mazaca: and the rather, since they are mentioned with the Kedarenes, or Arabian Scenites, and were nearer to the land of Judea than the former;
that I dwell in the tents of Kedar; Kedar was a son of Ishmael, Gen 25:13; whose posterity were Arabians, as the Targum here renders it; and Suidas c says, they dwelt not far from Babylon, when he wrote; they lived a pastoral life, and dwelt in tents: Pliny d makes mention of Arabs, called Cedrei; and also of Scenite Arabs, from the tents they dwelt in, which they could remove from place to place for the sake of pasturage. And among these David dwelt, when in the wilderness of Paran, 1Sa 25:1; though some think David never dwelt among any of those people, but among such who were like unto them for ignorance, idolatry, and barbarity. Some render the words, "woe is me, that I sojourn so long, dwelling as in the tents of Kedar" e; as when he was among the Philistines and Moabites; nay, even he may compare his own people to those, many of whom it was as disagreeable dwelling with as with these: and we find Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, speaking of them in their times in like manner, and making the same complaints, Isa 6:5. And very grieving and distressing it is to good men to have their abode among wicked men; as well as it is infectious and dangerous: to hear their profane and blasphemous talk, to see their wicked and filthy actions, and to observe their abominable conversation, is very vexatious, and gives great uneasiness, as it did to righteous Lot, 2Pe 2:7. The first clause is rendered by the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, "woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged"; to which the next words agree, Psa 120:6.
Gill: Psa 120:6 - My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. The God of peace, against whom their carnal minds are enmity itself; Christ, the Prince of peace, ...
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. The God of peace, against whom their carnal minds are enmity itself; Christ, the Prince of peace, the Man, the Peace, who has made peace by the blood of his cross, whom the world hates; the sons of peace, the quiet in the land, against whom the wicked devise evil things; the Gospel of peace, which the natural man abhors as foolishness; the way of peace, pardon, and salvation by Christ, which carnal men know not, and do not approve of; and the ordinances of the Gospel, which are paths of peace. In short, some are of such restless, quarrelsome, and contentious spirits, that they hate peace with any; are like the troubled sea, that cannot rest; and cannot sleep, unless they do mischief to their fellow creatures: it is very uncomfortable living, especially living long with such. The Targum is,
"my soul hath long dwelt with Edom, hating peace;''
that is, with the Romans or Christians, who are intended; for the Jews understand this psalm of their present captivity.
Gill: Psa 120:7 - I am for peace // but when I speak, they are for war I am for peace,.... Am wholly peace; a man of peace, as Aben Ezra; of a peaceable disposition, devoted to peace; love it, seek and pursue it, as ever...
I am for peace,.... Am wholly peace; a man of peace, as Aben Ezra; of a peaceable disposition, devoted to peace; love it, seek and pursue it, as every good man does, who is called to it, and in whose heart it rules: such follow peace with all men, and the things which make for it; and, as much as in them lies, endeavour to live peaceably with all;
but when I speak, they are for war; make a motion for peace, and propose the terms of it, they declare against it, and for war: or when he spoke of the things of God, and of his experience of them, of the word of God, and of the truths of it, and of what he believed, Psa 116:10; and especially when he gave good counsel and advice to them, and reproved them for their sins, they could not bear it; but hated him for it, and proclaimed war against him; and could not behave peaceably to him in any degree, but became his avowed, sworn, and implacable enemies. The Targum is,
"when I prayed;''
either prayed to God, that they did not like; or prayed for peace with them, that they would not grant; but became more imbittered against him.