Psalm 120: A Prayer for Ultimate Deliverance from Deception

Introduction

Psalm 120 is the first of the Songs of Ascents, a series of psalms sung by the people of Israel as they traveled to Jerusalem for religious festivals. It is a psalm of distress and a cry for deliverance from lies and deceit. The psalmist laments living among people who speak deceitfully and wish for God’s protection and help. The psalmist’s prayer is one of longing for peace and justice, contrasting the strife and lies they experience in their surroundings.

Background of Psalm 120

This psalm is often attributed to David, though its exact context is not clear. It could have been written during a time when the psalmist was surrounded by enemies or those who spoke falsely against him. It is a plea for God to rescue the psalmist from false accusations and deceit, trusting in God’s ability to deliver and bring justice. The psalmist calls out to God for help, recognizing the difficulty of living in a world filled with hostility and falsehood.

What Does Psalm 120 Mean?

Psalm 120 expresses the frustration of living in a world filled with deceit, lies, and hostility. The psalmist prays for deliverance from those who spread falsehoods and harm others with their words. The psalmist contrasts this environment with the desire for peace and the hope that God will act to bring justice. This psalm serves as a reminder of the need to trust in God when faced with difficulties and to seek His help in times of distress.

Verse Mapping Psalm 120:1

“I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.” (CSB)

1. Word Study
   • Call – The Hebrew word “qara,” meaning to call out, cry aloud, or summon. It indicates an earnest and urgent appeal.
   • Lord – The Hebrew word “Yahweh,” the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His role as the faithful God of Israel.
   • Distress – The Hebrew word “tsar,” meaning tightness, narrowness, or pressure. It refers to a time of trouble or overwhelming difficulty.
   • Answers – The Hebrew word “anah,” meaning to respond, to testify, or to speak. It indicates God’s response to the psalmist’s cry.
2. Cross-References
   • Psalm 34:17 – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.”
   • Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
   • 1 John 5:14 – “This is the confidence we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
3. Paraphrase “In my time of trouble, I cry out to the Lord, and He hears my prayer and answers me.”
4. Application When you face distressing situations, know that God hears your cries for help. Take time to call out to Him, trusting that He is faithful to respond to your needs and bring His help.

Verse Mapping Psalm 120:2

“Lord, deliver me from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.” (CSB)

1. Word Study
   • Deliver – The Hebrew word “natsal,” meaning to rescue, save, or pull out of danger. It implies God’s intervention to bring about safety or protection.
   • Lying lips – Refers to deceitful or false speech, words that are meant to harm or mislead others.
   • Deceitful tongue – The Hebrew word “remiyah,” meaning fraud, treachery, or deception. It refers to words intended to cause harm through dishonesty.
2. Cross-References
   • Psalm 120:7 – “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.”
   • Proverbs 12:22 – “Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight.”
   • James 3:6 – “And the tongue is a fire; the tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members and defiles the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.”
3. Paraphrase “Lord, save me from people who speak lies and deceit.”
4. Application The psalmist’s cry for deliverance from deceit reminds us of the power of words and how they can harm. We should pray for protection from lies and deceitful people, trusting that God will intervene to preserve the truth and uphold justice.

Verse Mapping Psalm 120:4

“What will He give you, and what will He do to you, you deceitful tongue?” (CSB)

1. Word Study
   • Give – The Hebrew word “nathan,” meaning to give or provide. It indicates what God will do in response to the deceitful tongue.
   • Do – The Hebrew word “asah,” meaning to make, do, or accomplish. It refers to God’s action against those who spread lies.
   • Deceitful tongue – Again, referring to the malicious, dishonest speech that harms others.
2. Cross-References
   • Proverbs 6:16-19 – “The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to Him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.”
   • Matthew 7:2 – “For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others; and you will be measured by the same measure you use.”
   • Romans 12:19 – “Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. Because it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
3. Paraphrase “What will God do to you, deceitful tongue, for your harmful words and lies?”
4. Application God will not let deceitful speech go unpunished. Trust that He will bring justice to those who harm others through lies, and that He will protect the innocent from false accusations.

Verse Mapping Psalm 120:7

“I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” (CSB)

1. Word Study
   • Peace – The Hebrew word “shalom,” meaning completeness, wholeness, or harmony. It signifies a state of well-being, peace, and restoration.
   • War – The Hebrew word “milchamah,” meaning battle, conflict, or strife. It refers to violent conflict or opposition.
2. Cross-References
   • Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
   • Romans 12:18 – “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
   • James 4:1 – “What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?”
3. Paraphrase “I long for peace, but when I speak, they seek conflict.”
4. Application The psalmist’s desire for peace reflects the believer’s call to be peacemakers in a world filled with conflict. We should strive to live peacefully with others, even when faced with opposition or hostility.

How Can We Apply Psalm 120 Today?

1. Cry Out to God in Distress Just as the psalmist called on God in his time of trouble, we too should cry out to God when we face difficult situations. He hears our prayers and is faithful to deliver us.
2. Seek Protection from Lies and Deception In a world filled with deceit, we should pray for protection from falsehoods and deceitful people. Trust that God will guard us from harm and intervene on our behalf.
3. Long for Peace While we live in a world of conflict, we are called to pursue peace. Seek to live harmoniously with others and be a source of reconciliation, even when others seek strife.

Reflection Questions

• Are there areas in your life where you need to cry out to God for help and deliverance?
• How can you protect yourself from the lies and deceit of others?
• How can you promote peace in your relationships and community?

A Closing Prayer

Lord, we thank You for hearing our cries and delivering us from harm. Help us to remain faithful to You, even in the midst of deceit and conflict. We pray for Your protection and peace in our lives. May we always seek Your truth and live according to Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Thoughts

Psalm 120 teaches us the importance of trusting in God when facing deceit and conflict. It calls us to pray for deliverance, seek peace, and live in alignment with God’s will. May we take comfort in knowing that God hears our prayers and will act on our behalf.