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Psalm Ps. 120. Psalm 120 is the first of the “Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120–134). This diverse group includes individual and corporate laments, songs of confidence, thanksgiving hymns, a song celebrating Zion, wisdom psalms, a royal psalm, and a psalm for worship. Since Jerusalem has a high elevation, those coming to worship had to ascend to get there. These songs were sung during the climb to Jerusalem (122:4; see 1 Kings 12:28; Zech. 14:16). Psalm 120 is an individual lament, sung by someone living away from Israel (v. 5). Deceitful people are stirring up war, while the psalmist prefers peace. It is possible that the psalm originated during the exile, when God told his people to seek the “welfare” (or “peace”) of the city to which they were sent (Jer. 29:7). Worship in Jerusalem, both for the singer and for the Gentiles, is the key to such peace (Ps. 120:5–7; see Isa. 2:3–4).
Ps. 120:1–2 The psalm opens by remembering that there have been times of distress in the past, and each time I called to the Lord, he answered me with rescue. People with lying lips and a deceitful tongue are causing the distress.
Ps. 120:3–4 The psalm now addresses the person who is causing the trouble.
Ps. 120:5–7 The psalmist reflects on the larger situation. The people among whom he dwells are Gentiles, who do not know God’s word. The ideal Israelite exile is for peace, seeking it for the city in which he is exiled (in Jer. 29:7 this is “welfare,” see esv footnote on Jer. 29:11).
Ps. 120:5 To sojourn is to live as a resident alien, not as a native-born citizen. Meshech was a people on the southeastern edge of the Black Sea (see note on Ezek. 27:13), while Kedar was a people dwelling in the Arabian desert. These two names probably represent the Gentile world into which God’s people have been scattered.
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