Psalms 120

Psalms 120:1

Title. A Song. Hebrew. shir. See App-65: viz. one of the Songs promised by Hezekiah in Isaiah 38:20.

degrees = the degrees, or steps. Hebrew. hamma’aloth (with Art.): i.e. the “degrees” mentioned six times in 2 Kings 20:8-11, and five times in Isaiah 38:8 (Hebrew) No other “degrees” known to Scripture which are connected with the shadow of the sun. For the origin, authorship, examination, and Structure, see App-67, and note on p. 827.

distress. The first Psalm of each of the five groups speaks of ; the second of TRUST; the third of AND PEACE IN ZION. The distress, here, refers to Sennacherib’s siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:3. Isaiah 37:3).

cried. See 2 Kings 19:3, 2 Kings 19:4, 2 Kings 19:14-19. 2 Chronicles 32:20. Isaiah 37:15-20; Isaiah 38:2, Isaiah 38:3. See App-67.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

heard = answered.

Psalms 120:2

Deliver = Pluck me. Hebrew. nazal. Same word as in Psalms 119:170. The reference is to 2 Kings 18:30, 2 Kings 18:32.

my soul = me. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

lips. Hebrew = lip: i.e. Rab-shakeh’s. The reference is to 2 Kings 18:19-35; 2 Kings 19:8-13. 2 Chronicles 32:10-19. Isaiah 36:4-20; Isaiah 37:8-13. See App-67.

tongue. Figure of speech Epistrophe (App-6), with “tongue”, Psalms 120:3.

Psalms 120:3

done = heaped upon: i.e. added to. Compare 1 Samuel 3:17; 1 Samuel 20:13, &c.

Psalms 120:4

mighty = Mighty [One].

Psalms 120:5

Mesech . . . Kedar. Used typically of cruel and merciless peoples; as we use the terms Vandals, Goths, Philistines.

Psalms 120:6

him. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “them”.

Psalms 120:7

I = I [even I]; or, I [am all] peace (emphatic).

speak = speak [of peace]. See note on Psalms 109:4.

they are for war. The reference is to 2 Kings 18:19. 2 Chronicles 32:2. Isaiah 36:5.