120:1 [A Song of {a} degrees.] In my {b} distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.(a) That is, of lifting up the tune and rising in singing.(b) Even though the children of God should rejoice when they suffer for righteousness sake, yet it is a great grief to the flesh to hear evil for well doing. read more
This group is differentiated by the title attached to each: “A Song of Degrees” or “A Song of Ascents.” The title seems derived from the going up of the people to Jerusalem at the great festivals which came three times a year. (Compare Deuteronomy 16:16 ; 1 Kings 12:27-28 , etc.); the thought being that they chanted the psalms at different stages in their journey. The pertinency of this application of these psalms is more apparent in some than others. For example, Psalms 121:0 represents the... read more
CONTENTS Here are the breathings of a devout soul under distress; and the soul finding confidence at the mercy-seat, reproves some ungodly person that assaulted him. A Song of degrees. Psalms 120:1 I detain the Reader at the opening of this Psalm, just to make a short observation on the title, which is quite new, and which is first placed at the head of this Psalm, and then at the head of fourteen others which immediately follow. It is called a song of degrees. But what the term means is all... read more
Canticle. David wrote this during his flight from Absalom; (Grotius) and de Muis judges from the martial air, that it was composed in the midst of danger. It relates to the captives, (Origen; Calmet) and to all in the pilgrimage of this world. (Berthier) --- Mountains. Jerusalem, and heaven, whence all our help must come. God most readily hears the prayers which are poured forth in places appointed by him. (Worthington) --- Jerusalem was situated among mountains, and the Jews turned towards it... read more
1-4 The psalmist was brought into great distress by a deceitful tongue. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. They forged false charges against him. In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. God can bridle their tongues. He obtained a gracious answer to this prayer. Surely sinners durst not act as they do, if they knew, and would be persuaded to think, what will be in the end thereof. The terrors of the Lord are his arrows; and his wrath is compared to burning coals of... read more
Prayer for Deliverance from Slander and Deceit. A song of degrees, literally, "of ascents," the first of fifteen psalms designated by that name, the reference being either to the fact that these hymns were used by the pilgrims on their three annual journeys to Jerusalem, or to the peculiar structure of these psalms, since every new verse or strophe builds up on the preceding in form and thought. The writer here, while acknowledging the mercy of God, prays for relief from a slanderous foe. v.... read more
Psalms 120:0A Song of Degrees In my distress I criedUnto the Lord, and he heard me.2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips,And from a deceitful tongue.3 What shall be given unto thee?Or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?4 Sharp arrows of the mighty,With coals of juniper.5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech,That I dwell in the tents of Kedar!6 My soul hath long dweltWith him that hateth peace.7 I am for peace: but when I speak,They are for... read more
Where to Find Help Psalms 120:1-7 ; Psalms 121:1-8 This is the first of the “Songs of Degrees.” It has been suggested that they were pilgrim-songs to beguile the journeys from all parts of the country to the great annual feasts. They have been associated with the reign of the good Hezekiah. Mesech and Kedar are typical enemies, who forced their way into the kingdom of Judah and vexed the people of God. They are compared to sharp swords and arrows in Psalms 57:4 ; Psalms 64:3 , but now in... read more
The next fifteen psalms appear to have formed a book of themselves bearing the title, "The Songs of Ascents." That collection is incorporated by the editor at this point not without purpose. The title appearing at the head of each has been variously translated, “A Song of Degrees," "A Song of Ascents," “A Song for the Goings Up." In the Hebrew translation to which we have already referred, it appears as "A song of the ascents," and in the title index in each case the psalm is called... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 120:1-7
Psalm 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and... read more