King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
Complete Jewish Bible:
A song of ascents: I called to ADONAI in my distress, and he answered me.
Berean Standard Bible:
In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
American Standard Version:
In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
A Song{H7892} of degrees{H4609}. In my distress{H6869} I cried{H7121} unto the LORD{H3068}, and he heard{H6030} me.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 18:6
- In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.
Jonah 2:2
- And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, [and] thou heardest my voice.
Psalms 118:5
- I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.
Hebrews 5:7
- Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Psalms 50:15
- And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Psalms 130:1
- ¶ A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
Psalms 107:13
- Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses.
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Commentary for Psalms 120:1
Psalm 120:1 is the opening verse of a series of psalms known as the Songs of Ascents, or the Pilgrim Songs, which are Psalms 120-134. These psalms were traditionally sung by Jewish pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. The historical context suggests that they may have been used during the three major pilgrimage feasts: Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles).
The verse itself, "In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me," reflects a personal experience of prayer and divine response. The psalmist expresses a moment of deep trouble or anguish, using the Hebrew word "tsar" for distress, which can imply a narrow or confined space, figuratively conveying a sense of being trapped or in dire straits. In this state, the psalmist turns to God in prayer, invoking the divine name Yahweh (translated as "the LORD"). The verse concludes with an affirmation of being heard by God, indicating a sense of rescue, comfort, or intervention that the psalmist has experienced as a result of their prayer.
The themes present in this verse include the efficacy of prayer, the personal relationship between the individual and God, and the assurance of God's attentiveness to the cries of those in need. It speaks to the foundational belief in the Hebrew Scriptures that God is responsive to human suffering and that crying out to Him is a legitimate and effective recourse in times of distress. This verse sets the tone for the following Songs of Ascents, which continue to explore themes of faith, pilgrimage, and the divine-human relationship.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7892
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁיר
Transliteration: shîyr
Pronunciation: sheer
Description: or feminine שִׁירָה; from שִׁיר; a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song. - Strong's Number: H4609
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲלָה
Transliteration: maʻălâh
Pronunciation: mah-al-aw'
Description: feminine of מַעֲלֶה; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms); things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story. - Strong's Number: H6869
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָרָה
Transliteration: tsârâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-raw'
Description: feminine of צַר; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival:; adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6030
There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָה
Transliteration: ʻânâh
Pronunciation: aw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.