Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 120

These short and memorable songs were sung by pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem for the national festivals held three times each year (Deuteronomy 16:16). The title of these psalms includes a Hebrew word that can mean “steps” or “stairs.” Some scholars understand it to mean “going up to Jerusalem.” These psalms, often called the Songs of Ascents, lead the listener on a journey to Jerusalem to praise God for his goodness to Israel through history.

The psalmist is surrounded by liars, so he makes his lament to the Lord, the only one who can help him.

This short, individual lament expresses the psalmist’s trust that the Lord will deal with deceptive evildoers. It also laments living as a stranger among hateful liars. The psalmist’s picture of his life in a foreign land might have been a reality as he set out for Jerusalem, or it might depict his feelings and concerns as he begins his pilgrimage. Overwhelmed with injustice, he trusts God and looks forward to arriving in the Lord’s presence.

• The psalmist speaks with the liars around him. He feels confident that the Lord will judge them.

• The Divine Warrior (see Psalms 7:12–13; 11:4–6) will attack the liars with sharp arrows and burning coals.

The psalmist feels the pain of being alone, isolated, and in constant conflict.

Meshech was a Japhethite territory far to the north of Canaan. Kedar was an Ishmaelite territory in Arabia. Violent people lived in both places.

Meshech was known for its slave trade (Ezekiel 27:13; see also Exodus 21:16), and Kedar was known for its warriors (Isaiah 21:16–17). These places represented the rebellious and violent land where the psalmist suffered.

peace: See Psalms 37:11; 122:6–9; 125:5; 128:6.