Psalm 120

Psalm 120

We made it out of Psalm 119, and although I enjoyed it…it was a long journey.

Now in Psalm 120, speaking of journeys, This Psalm is the first of a group of songs called Psalms of Degrees, or Psalms of Ascent.

The People of God would sing these Psalms as they traveled to Jerusalem to worship.

Singing on the bus trips as a teenager.

The city of Jerusalem stands 2,700 feet high on Mount Zion.

So the people that lived out side the city journeyed up to Jerusalem to attend the annual Feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

As they climbed the holy hill to worship, they would sing these songs.

You would think it would be joyful songs that they would sing, but this one is a song of deep distress.

Warren Wiersbe notes, “It hardly seems a fit hymn for a group of pilgrims to sing as they made their way to the sanctuary of God.” “It appears that the author of this psalm was in the same situation as the writer of Psalm 42: circumstances prevented him from attending the feast, so he had to stay home among people who made life difficult for him. The singing of this psalm would remind the pilgrims that they were indeed privileged to be able to go to Jerusalem and that others would have liked to go with them. It also reminded the travelers that when they returned home, they needed to carry some of the blessing to those who stayed behind and to help make life easier for them. The psalm reminds believers today that worship is a privilege and the blessings we receive must be shared.”

Whoever the author of this Psalm was, he seemed to live in a foreign land where hostile people slandered him.

In this Psalm we can identify by seeing the world around us, and the pressures and attacks from our enemies around us (the world, the flesh and the devil).

I see this Psalm divided into three sections, and I think we can easily apply each of them to our own lives.

I. The Cry for Deliverance

1 In my distress I cried unto the Lord, And he heard me.

2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, And from a deceitful tongue.

In these two verses we see the distress that the psalmist was in.

But we also see the trust that He has in God.

The Psalmist had obviously learned from past experience that God has heard him.

The word cried is in the Hebrew perfect tense which indicates a completed action - prayers that had been offered in the past and he had been heard.

So based upon God’s tract record he is asking for deliverance now.

It is important to note that the deliverance he asked for was for his soul.

The soul is the home of our mind, will and emotions.

Am I the only one that identifies with this specific request?

When someone lies about me, when someone attacks me my mind goes around, and around, and around about it.

I had someone saying things about me a few years back that were untrue.

The lies were tainting possible perspectives for my future.

I was very distressful when I found out.

I approached the person, but they didn’t back down.

They viewed my actions from one way, and I viewed it from a different.

They assumed something about me based upon what they thought they saw.

It was distressing, when even after I explained my situation and my heart they refused to repent of the lies they were telling.

I had some difficulty sleeping during those days.

But I learned exactly what I believe the Psalmist learned as well:

A. God Hears You

The Psalmist boldly declares, “and he heard me.”

What beautiful words!

It’s important to be heard.

I’ve been told multiple times since I have been here, “You may not agree with what I want, but at least I know you heard me.”

That seemed to be a big deal to the people that told me that.

To know that God hears us, plus this word is not just talking about going in the ear hole…it refers to responding, answer a person.

So when the Holy Spirit inspired this word, he meant it.

God hears and responds.

Now the answer may be no, but at least He heard you!

And not only does He hear you....

B. God Will Deliver You

And I think it is important to see the two-fold deliverance...

1. the Current Deliverance

He asked God to deliver my soul - my mind, my will, my emotions.

When we go to Him and ask God for help, deal with any sin on our part about the situation, and then rest in His arms…he delivers us.

2. The Eventual Deliverance

Later we will see that this Psalmist was in a foreign land.

But he won’t be there forever.

God will eventually deliver us from all of these situations, he will deliver us from all the evil doers.

So we saw the Cry for Deliverance in the first section.

In the second section we see...

II. The Caution to the Deceivers

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.

Some strong words of warning are spoken to the Deceivers here in these verses.

He cautions them not to get too comfortable in their lies.

What shall be given unto thee?

You attack God’s Child, you better watch out!

He says Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

These sharp arrows would be tipped with glowing coals, a intensely-hot and slow burning charcoal.

We don’t need to worry - But we can warn those who attack…it’s not a good idea!

A. God Will Avenge

Leviticus 19:18 KJV

18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

Romans 12:19 KJV

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Proverbs 20:22 KJV

22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; But wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

God says it over and over, don’t take it into your own hands…God will avenge!

B. God Uses Their Own Tactics

Many believe the sharp arrows and the burning coals allude to the lying lips and false tongue which the enemies used.

James 3:6 KJV

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

But this time the fire will be directed at the enemies.

It is said that the coals of the juniper (broom tree) can last a whole year.

This would fitly express the lake of fire and brimstone which will be their final home if they do not repent.

But that is above our pay grade, if you will.

God will take care of the avenging.

We just need to warn them of the judgment to come.

So we have seen The Cry for Deliverance.

We have seen The Caution to the Deceivers.

Now let’s see in the last three verses:

III. The Concern of the Devoted

5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, That I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

6 My soul hath long dwelt With him that hateth peace.

7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

I had to laugh when I saw the beginning of verse 5 begins with the word Woe - it is the Hebrew word Oy.

I’ve heard all my life people say in Yiddish - Oy Vey - Or woe is me - a cry of dismay…or even Oy Gavalt - a cry for help!

But this is the Psalmist Cry - Woe is me

Mesech and Kedar are mentioned here.

Meshech was a son of Japheth whose children many believe became the Muscovites and Scythians - a barbarous sor of people.

Meshech is often mentioned with Tubal his brohter with Gog and Magog if those names sound familiar.

Kedar was a son of Ishmael whose children became Arabians not far from Babylon.

These two locations are hundreds of miles apart, so although he is not literally saying he lived in those areas, he is drawing the picture of the barbarians and evil and peace hating people who verse 6 says his soul hath long dwelt.

But I think there are some nuggets of truth from the Psalmists experience that we can take home!

A. You’re a Foreigner

Just as he was saying he dwelt among these people, he was saying he didn’t belong there!

You don’t belong here any more than the Psalmist belonged with those barbarians.

Remember your true home!

B. You’re a Temporary Dweller

He dwelt in the tents of Kedar - a temporary home.

You aren’t staying long!

In the view of all eternity this 70, 80, 90, even 100 years is not long!

This body is just your tent, it won’t last forever.

C. You’re Different

6 My soul hath long dwelt With him that hateth peace.

7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

The world around you looks to war against you but we need to seek for peace!

Romans 12:18 KJV

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

We need to men of peace.

Let God fight the battle.

You are not from here!

I’ve heard that a couple of times since I’ve come to Mayville.

I’ll say something, and they will say - where are you from?

Obviously not from around here.

Especially if I let a “Ya’ll” slip.

Like this psalmist, we are strangers and pilgims in this foreign land.

1 Peter 2:11–12 KJV

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

This world is not our home, our citizenship is in heaven…and we are here as ambassadors for the Lord.

As foreigners and ambassadors we need to remain faithful to our Lord, resisting temptation to conform to this world.

I have loved the song written by Buddy Greene, “The Sojourner’s Song”.

It’s not home Where men sell their souls And the taste of power is sweet Where wrong is right And neighbors fight While the hungry are dyin’ in the streets Where kids are abused And women are used And the weak are crushed by the strong Nations gone mad Jesus is sad And I don’t belong

Chorus:

I don’t belong And I’m going someday Home to my own native land I don’t belong And it seems like I hear The sound of a “welcome home” band I don’t belong I’m a foreigner here Singing a sojourner’s song I’ve always known This place ain’t home And I don’t belong

Don’t belong

But while I’m here I’ll be living like I’ve nothin’ to lose And while I breathe I’ll just believe My Lord is gonna see me through I’ll not be deceived By earth’s make-believe I’ll close my ears to her siren song By praisin’ His name, I’m not ashamed ‘Cause I don’t belong

Repeat Chorus

I belong To a kingdom of peace Where only love is the law Where children lead And captives are freed And God becomes a baby on the straw Where dead men live And rich men give Their kingdoms to buy back a song Where sinners like me Become royalty And we’ll all belong

Yes I belong And I’m going someday Home to my own native land Where I’ll belong And it seems like I hear The sound of a “welcome home” band

Yes, I’ll belong No foreigner there Singin’ a sojourner’s song I’ve always known I’m going home Where I belong

Yes I’ve always known This place ain’t home And I don’t belong