Psalm 120

The Songs of Ascents begin (120–134): pilgrim songs for the road up to Jerusalem. This first one starts far from home: 'In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, and he answered me. Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue': sharp arrows of the mighty, coals of juniper. 'Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!': at home among the hostile. 'My soul hath long had her dwelling with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.'

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.