Psalms 120

Psalms 120:1

Psalm 120: The Helpless Victim of SlanderOne of the bitter experiences of a believer’s life is to be the victim of lies and slander. It is then he helplessly realizes the truth of Spurgeon’s observation that “a lie can go around the world while truth is putting its boots on.” He can easily become a twisted mass of humiliation and frustration. 120:1, 2 That was the kind of distress that sent the psalmist racing to the LORD in this first “Song of Ascents.” His request was short, simple and specific. He wanted to be delivered from the lying lips of his enemies, from the deceitful tongue of the pagans. 120:3, 4 Then just as quickly, he turns aside to one particular culprit and predicts severe punishment for him. What sentence shall be handed down to him? Sharp arrows shot from the bow of the Master Archer. And what will be done to that deceitful tongue? Will it be washed with soap? No, it will be cauterized with glowing coals of the broom tree! The root of this desert shrub is used to produce burning charcoal, noted for its intense heat. 120:5 In a moment of self-pity, the peace-loving psalmist laments his enforced stay among the tribes of Meshech and Kedar. Meshech was a son of Japheth (Gen_10:2), and his descendants became noted as savage, uncivilized people. Kedar was the second son of Ishmael (Gen_25:13), and his posterity were also cruel and merciless. According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, “it is through Kedar that Muslim genealogists trace the descent of Mohammed from Ishmael.” 120:6, 7 The psalmist’s enforced exile among barbarians who hated peace had been too long to suit him. His efforts to bring about peaceful co-existence had been repulsed by new acts of war. Had he lived in NT times, he would have been more prepared to expect slander and strife, and would have been better able to cope with it. He would have the example of the Lord Jesus: Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (1Pe_2:23). He would have the teaching of Peter: But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God (1Pe_2:20 b). Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing (1Pe_3:9). And finally he would have the word of the Lord Jesus: Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Mat_5:11-12).