TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 120:1–4. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. Deliverance from a false tongue obtained by prayer. David records his own experience of this.
1.He was brought into distress, into great distress, by lying lips and a deceitful tongue. There were those that sought his ruin, and had almost effected it, by lying.
(1.)By telling lies to him. They flattered him with professions and protestations of friendships, and promises of kindness and service to him, that they might the more securely and without suspicion carry on their designs against him, and might have an opportunity, by betraying his counsels, to do him a mischief. They smiled in his face and kissed him, even when they were aiming to smite him under the fifth rib. The most dangerous enemies, and those which it is most hard to guard against, are such as carry on their malicious designs under the colour of friendship. The Lord deliver every good man from such lying lips.
(2.)By telling lies of him. They forged false accusations against him and laid to his charge things that he knew not. This has often been the lot not only of the innocent, but of the excellent ones, of the earth, who have been greatly distressed by lying lips, and have not only had their names blackened and made odious by calumnies in conversation, but their lives, and all that is dear to them in this world, endangered by false-witness-bearing in judgment. David was herein a type of Christ, who was distressed by lying lips and deceitful tongues.
2.In this distress he had recourse to God by faithful and fervent prayer: I cried unto the Lord. Having no fence against false tongues, he appealed to him who has all men's hearts in his hand, who has power over the consciences of bad men, and can, when he pleases, bridle their tongues. His prayer was, "Deliver my soul, O Lord! from lying lips, that my enemies may not by these cursed methods work my ruin." He that had prayed so earnestly to be kept from lying (Psa 119:29) and hated it so heartily in himself (Psa 119:163) might with the more confidence pray to be kept from being belied by others, and from the ill consequences of it.
3.He obtained a gracious answer to this prayer. God heard him; so that his enemies, though they carried their designs very far, were baffled at last, and could not prevail to do him the mischief they intended. The God of truth is, and will be, the protector of his people from lying lips, Psa 37:6.
II.The doom of a false tongue foretold by faith, Psa 120:3, Psa 120:4.
As God will preserve his people from this mischievous generation, so he will reckon with their enemies, Psa 12:3, Psa 12:7. The threatening is addressed to the sinner himself, for the awakening of his conscience, if he have any left: "Consider what shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done unto thee, by the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, thou false tongue." Surely sinners durst not do as they do if they knew, and would be persuaded to think, what will be in the end thereof. Let liars consider what shall be given to them: Sharp arrows of the Almighty, with coals of juniper, that is, they will fall and lie for ever under the wrath of God, and will be made miserable by the tokens of his displeasure, which will fly swiftly like arrows, and will strike the sinner ere he is aware and when he sees not who hurts him. This is threatened against liars, Psa 64:7. God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. They set God at a distance from them, but from afar his arrows can reach them. They are sharp arrows, and arrows of the mighty, the Almighty; for they will pierce through the strongest armour and strike deep into the hardest heart. The terrors of the Lord are his arrows (Job 6:4), and his wrath is compared to burning coals of juniper, which do not flame or crackle, like thorns under a pot, but have a vehement heat, and keep fire very long (some say, a year round) even when they seem to be gone out. This is the portion of the false tongue; for all that love and make a lie shall have their portion in the lake that burns eternally, Rev 22:15.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Therefore it was none other than God whom David too implored for his deliverance: “When I was in trouble, I called on the Lord, and he heard me; deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.” To him also giving thanks he spoke the words of the song in the seventeenth psalm [LXX], in the day in which the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul, saying, “I will love you, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my strong rock and my defense and deliverer.” And Paul, after enduring many persecutions, to none other than God gave thanks, saying, “Out of them all the Lord delivered me; and he, in whom we trust, will deliver me.”
When therefore a man has commenced thus to order his ascent; to speak more plainly, when a Christian has begun to think of spiritual amendment, he begins to suffer the tongues of adversaries. Whoever has not yet suffered from them, has not yet made progress; whoever suffers them not, does not even endeavour to improve. Does he wish to know what we mean? Let him at the same time experience what is reported of us. Let him begin to improve, let him begin to wish to ascend, to wish to despise earthly, fragile, temporal objects, to hold worldly happiness for nothing, to think of God alone, not to rejoice in gain, not to pine at losses, to wish even to sell all his substance, and distribute it among the poor, and to follow Christ; let us see how he suffers the tongues of detractors and of constant opponents, and— a still greater peril— of pretended counsellors, who lead him astray from salvation...He then, who will ascend, first of all prays God against these very tongues: for he says, "When I was in trouble, I called on the Lord; and He heard me" [Psalm 120:1]. Why did He hear him? That He might now place him at the steps of ascent.
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Summary
Psalm 120:1 serves as a poignant and powerful introduction to the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), immediately establishing a foundational theme of profound personal distress met with the unwavering faithfulness of God. The psalmist recounts a past experience of desperate supplication, declaring with confident assurance that the LORD not only heard but also responded effectively to their cry. This opening verse sets a tone of trust and reliance on divine intervention amidst life's trials, inviting the reader into a spiritual journey marked by both human vulnerability and the steadfast promise of God's deliverance.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 120:1 functions as the inaugural verse of the "Songs of Ascents" (Hebrew: Shir Hama'alot), a unique collection of fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134). This distinct superscription signals a common purpose or setting for the entire compilation. The psalm immediately plunges the reader in medias res, presenting a deeply personal testimony of crisis and divine resolution. This directness is characteristic of the collection, which frequently transitions from individual lament or petition to communal praise, national hope, and theological reflection on God's protection and the longing for peace in Jerusalem. The brevity and personal nature of this opening verse effectively set the stage for the broader themes explored throughout this significant section of the Psalter.
Historical & Cultural Context
The title "Songs of Ascents" is widely interpreted as referring to the pilgrimage songs sung by Israelites as they "ascended" to Jerusalem for the three annual pilgrim festivals: Passover, Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles. Jerusalem is geographically elevated, necessitating an ascent, and the journey itself was a profound spiritual act of drawing near to God's presence. Alternatively, some scholars propose these psalms were chanted by Levites as they ascended the fifteen steps leading from the Court of Women to the Court of Israel within the Temple complex. The psalmist's "distress" in this context, while deeply personal, also resonates with the collective anxieties and hopes of a people journeying towards God's holy city, often from challenging or hostile environments, as later psalms in the collection like Psalm 121 and Psalm 122 vividly illustrate.
Key Themes
This inaugural verse introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout the Songs of Ascents and the broader Psalter. Foremost is the theme of earnest prayer in distress, highlighting the believer's immediate and instinctive turning to God in moments of profound need. The psalmist's act of "crying unto the LORD" powerfully underscores the accessibility of God and the efficacy of fervent supplication, a truth beautifully echoed in Psalm 34:17. Hand-in-hand with this is the theme of God's faithful responsiveness, powerfully affirmed by the declaration "and he heard me." This is not a mere hopeful plea but a confident testimony of past divine action, providing immediate comfort and assurance. Finally, the verse establishes a personal testimony of faith and deliverance, which serves as a profound encouragement for all who embark on their own "ascents" through life's challenges, trusting in the God who consistently hears and responds, much like the confident affirmation found in Psalm 18:6.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
The Hebrew word צָרָה (tsârâh) is derived from a root meaning "narrow" or "tight." It conveys a powerful sense of being hemmed in, constricted, or in a desperate situation with no apparent escape. This term implies a feeling of intense pressure, oppression, and severe trouble, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the psalmist's predicament—a situation where one feels "pressed on every side" (2 Corinthians 4:8). It denotes a state of anguish and tribulation.
The verb קָרָא (qârâʼ) signifies more than a casual whisper; it implies a loud, urgent, and earnest call or proclamation. It denotes a desperate, heartfelt plea for help, often in a public or urgent manner, akin to "calling out to" someone. This is the fervent cry of someone in dire need, summoning divine attention and intervention, reflecting the intensity of the psalmist's desperation and unwavering trust that God is a present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
The Hebrew verb עָנָה (ʻânâh) primarily means "to eye" or "to heed," implying to pay attention and, by extension, to respond. In this context, it signifies not merely auditory perception but God's attentive, compassionate, and effective response to the cry of His servant. It implies that God not only registered the sound but also comprehended the need and acted on it, validating the psalmist's faith and providing a powerful declaration of divine faithfulness and active intervention.
Verse Breakdown
"¶ A Song of degrees."
This is the superscription or title of the psalm, indicating its inclusion in the unique collection known as the "Songs of Ascents" or "Songs of Steps." It immediately sets the literary and contextual stage for the entire psalm, suggesting a journey, a progressive movement, or a series of stages, whether physical (a pilgrimage to Jerusalem) or spiritual (a growth in faith and understanding). This title identifies the psalm's genre and its place within a larger thematic unit.
"In my distress"
This phrase establishes the immediate and deeply personal context of the psalmist's experience. It describes a state of intense personal trouble, anguish, or confinement, emphasizing the profound difficulty of the situation. This is the starting point of the narrative, a declaration of a past or ongoing predicament that prompted a desperate and urgent response from the psalmist. The possessive "my" underscores the individual and experiential nature of this suffering.
"I cried unto the LORD,"
This clause details the psalmist's decisive and faithful action in response to their distress. Instead of turning inward to despair, outward to unreliable human aid, or to other gods, the psalmist directs a fervent, urgent plea specifically to "the LORD" (Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel). This signifies an act of profound faith, acknowledging God as the ultimate, sovereign, and only true source of help and salvation. It is a testament to the psalmist's theological conviction.
"and he heard me."
This concluding clause delivers the powerful resolution and confident testimony. It is a declarative statement of past divine action, affirming that God not only perceived the cry but also responded effectively and compassionately. This immediate affirmation of God's attentiveness and active intervention transforms the potential lament of distress into a declaration of confident faith and experienced deliverance, setting a tone of hope and assurance for the entire collection of the Songs of Ascents.
Literary Devices
Psalm 120:1 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and immediate message. The most prominent is Personal Testimony, as the psalmist directly states "I cried... and he heard me," creating an immediate, relatable, and authentic account of divine interaction. This direct address draws the reader intimately into the psalmist's experience of suffering and subsequent deliverance. There is also a strong sense of Juxtaposition, contrasting the profound "distress" of the human condition—a state of being "narrow" or confined—with the immediate and effective "hearing" and responsiveness of the sovereign God. This highlights the vast difference between human limitation and divine power and compassion. The psalm also begins In medias res, plunging directly into the heart of the action and its resolution without preamble, which creates a sense of urgency and immediate impact, gripping the reader from the outset. Finally, the structure presents a clear Problem-Solution paradigm: the problem of distress is immediately followed by the solution of God's responsive hearing, offering a concise and powerful message of hope and divine faithfulness that undergirds the entire collection.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalm 120:1 lays a foundational theological truth: God is a God who hears and actively responds to the cries of His people, particularly in their deepest distress. This immediate affirmation of divine responsiveness underscores God's immanence and His active, personal engagement in the lives of believers. It establishes prayer not merely as a ritual or a hopeful gesture, but as an effective and potent means of communication with a personal God who is intimately attentive to human suffering. The verse implicitly teaches about God's unwavering faithfulness and profound compassion, demonstrating that even when circumstances are "narrow" and overwhelming, the pathway to divine help remains open, accessible, and effective. This confidence in God's hearing ear serves as the bedrock for navigating the subsequent "ascents" and challenges presented throughout the pilgrimage psalms, assuring the worshiper that their journey is not undertaken alone.
Reflection and Application
Psalm 120:1 offers profound and timeless encouragement for believers navigating their own seasons of "distress" today. It models an immediate and instinctual response to trouble: turning directly and fervently to the LORD. In a world that often encourages self-reliance, distraction, or despair in the face of difficulty, the psalmist's testimony powerfully reminds us that our first and most effective recourse is earnest prayer to the God who sees, knows, and hears. The powerful declaration "and he heard me" is not just a historical account but a timeless, living assurance. It invites us to pray with unwavering confidence, knowing that God is not distant or indifferent, but actively attentive and compassionate towards our cries. This foundational truth empowers us to bring our anxieties, fears, and seemingly desperate situations before Him, trusting that He will respond according to His perfect will and timing, transforming our narrow places into spaces of divine intervention, peace, and renewed hope. As part of the Songs of Ascents, it also reminds us that life is inherently a journey, often marked by challenging "ascents," but through it all, our unwavering trust in God's listening ear remains our constant source of strength and ultimate hope.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "A Song of degrees" mean in the title of Psalms 120?
"A Song of degrees" is the King James Version translation of the Hebrew Shir Hama'alot (שיר המעלות), which is more accurately rendered as "Song of Ascents" or "Song of Steps." This title refers to a unique collection of fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134). Scholars generally agree it indicates these psalms were sung by pilgrims as they "ascended" to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals (Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles), as Jerusalem is geographically elevated. Alternatively, it might refer to the fifteen steps leading up to the Temple in Jerusalem, which Levites would ascend while singing these psalms during worship. The title thus provides crucial context, suggesting a journey—whether physical pilgrimage or spiritual progression—towards God's presence and holy city, often characterized by stages of growth, challenge, and ultimate hope, as seen in the thematic progression from distress in Psalm 120 to the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122 and the blessing of the Lord in Psalm 134.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalm 120:1, with its raw depiction of human distress and the immediate, confident affirmation of God's hearing, finds profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the quintessential pilgrim on earth, experienced distress far deeper than any human could fathom, culminating in His agony in Gethsemane where He "offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence" (Hebrews 5:7). Even His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), though seemingly unanswered in the moment of His suffering, was ultimately "heard" and vindicated in His glorious resurrection, demonstrating God's ultimate deliverance from death and sin. Furthermore, Jesus is the one through whom all our cries are heard and answered; He is our great High Priest who continually intercedes for us at the right hand of God (Hebrews 7:25), and the one who promises that whatever we ask in His name, the Father will do (John 14:13-14). The "ascent" envisioned in the psalm finds its true destination in the heavenly Jerusalem, to which Christ, our forerunner, has ascended (Hebrews 6:20), paving the way for all who, in their distress, cry out to the Lord through Him, confident that their prayers are heard and answered in Him.