Psalms 120:6

My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

My soul {H5315} hath long {H7227} dwelt {H7931} with him that hateth {H8130} peace {H7965}.

I have had to live far too long with those who hate peace.

Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace.

My soul hath long had her dwelling With him that hateth peace.

Psalms 120:6 KJV: "My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace."

Context of Psalms 120:6

This verse is part of Psalm 120, the first of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134). These psalms were likely sung by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the great annual festivals. Psalm 120 specifically expresses the deep distress of the psalmist who feels surrounded by deceitful and contentious people. Having just cried out for deliverance from "lying lips and from a deceitful tongue" (Psalm 120:2), this verse intensifies the lament, describing a prolonged and burdensome association with those who are fundamentally opposed to harmony and truth. The psalmist's soul is weary from enduring constant strife, feeling isolated among those who reject what he cherishes.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prolonged Distress: The phrase "My soul hath long dwelt" emphasizes the enduring nature of the psalmist's suffering. This isn't a fleeting encounter but a deep-seated, persistent burden of living among individuals who are hostile to peace and truth. It conveys a sense of spiritual and emotional exhaustion.
  • Antagonism to Peace: The core conflict lies with "him that hateth peace." This is not merely a lack of peace, but an active, deliberate aversion to it. Such individuals thrive on conflict, falsehood, and discord, making life difficult for those who seek tranquility and righteousness.
  • Alienation of the Righteous: The verse highlights the profound sense of alienation experienced by a person who desires peace (as seen in the following verse, Psalm 120:7) but is forced to live in an environment of constant animosity. It speaks to the spiritual and emotional toll of being surrounded by those whose values are antithetical to one's own.
  • Lament and Longing for Deliverance: Like many psalms, this verse is a lament, expressing pain and a longing for God's intervention to bring relief from oppressive circumstances. It sets the stage for a yearning for genuine peace, a theme echoed throughout the Scriptures, as seen in the call to "seek peace, and pursue it".

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "long dwelt" is related to yarab (יָרַב), conveying the idea of prolonging or multiplying, underscoring the extended duration of this difficult situation. The term "peace" is shalom (שָׁלוֹם), a rich biblical concept that encompasses more than just the absence of war; it signifies completeness, wholeness, welfare, prosperity, and a state of holistic well-being. Therefore, "him that hateth peace" implies someone who actively opposes not just tranquility, but also flourishing, harmony, and the very essence of God's desired order for humanity.

Practical Application and Reflection

Psalms 120:6 resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the burden of living or working in a contentious environment, or interacting with individuals who consistently sow discord. It acknowledges the weariness that comes from such prolonged exposure to negativity and strife. This verse offers solace in knowing that such feelings are understood by God. It also serves as a reminder to:

  • Guard Your Associations: While some associations are unavoidable, we are called to be discerning about who we allow to influence our souls.
  • Pray for Peace: The psalmist's lament is also a prayer. We can bring our distress over conflict to God, trusting Him for deliverance and the strength to endure.
  • Be a Peacemaker: In contrast to those who hate peace, believers are called to be agents of reconciliation. Jesus taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
  • Find Peace in God: Even when surrounded by conflict, true peace of heart and mind can be found in a relationship with God, who is the ultimate source of shalom. This is particularly relevant for those who feel like strangers in a world hostile to God's ways, as described in John 15:19.

This verse reminds us that the struggle against those who oppose peace is an ancient one, and that our hope for true and lasting peace ultimately rests in God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • Ezekiel 2:6

    ¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

  • Psalms 57:4

    My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

  • Matthew 10:36

    And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.

  • 1 Samuel 20:30

    Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious [woman], do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?

  • 1 Samuel 20:33

    And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

  • Titus 3:3

    For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

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