Psalm 120

Dear precious ones,

I was thinking of how much I love each of you and how wonderful it is seeing the amazing work of God in your life. And I was looking through the Psalms to find an appropriate expression of how I felt in the Scriptures, and my eyes rested on Psalm 121: a song of ascents.

As I read the Psalm, meditated on it and allowed it to edify myself, I discovered that this psalm is a series of “Pilgrim Psalms” or “Songs of Ascent” which were sung by those who journeyed (and thus “ascended”) to the temple for the annual feasts, and each psalm is a “step” in that journey.

I thought about how appropriate it is for us in this season, as we are all on a Godward journey heading towards His “temple”. It is a journey of worship.

For the next few months, let’s journey together as we “ascend His holy hill” to seek His face and stand in His presence. To help us keep on the same page, I’m going to write a devotion for each psalm (Psalms 120 – 134) every one to two weeks and email it out. I will also place these devotions on our ministry blog.

Let the journey begin…

Psalm 120 (NIV)
A song of ascents.
Author: Anonymous. Some suggest Hezekiah.

1 I call on the LORD in my distress,
and he answers me.

2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.

3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?

4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom tree.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.

7 I am a man of peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.

It is interesting that the first of these “songs of ascent” begins on a somewhat depressing mood. The psalmist cries out to God in distress, asking Him to save him from liars and accusers. The background is that the pilgrims who are heading to the temple of the annual feasts usually begin their journeys in hostile surroundings. Meshech and Kedar were nations known to be warlike and barbaric. The psalmist was likening his journey to being in hostile lands like Meshech and Kedar.

The very word “ascent” means to climb, to get from a lower place to a higher place. It is against gravity, so it’s definitely harder than going down. When we begin to journey towards God, it is usually from a place where it is hostile and against God. Sometimes it is our circumstances which are difficult. Some of us face family objections. Sometimes, we are our greatest obstacles!

As we journey towards God, it is an ascent. It is not natural in our human condition, much like climbing mountains go against gravity (if you climbed a mountain before, you’ll know what I mean). Are you struggling with taking the first step towards God in your circumstance? Know that it will be an uphill climb and it will go against your flesh. But cry out to God because He will answer you.

Words are often the most powerful weapons used against us. Notice that the psalmist appeals to God to deliver him from “lying lips” and “deceitful tongues” in verses 2 to 4. Have you been discouraged by negative people who shoot arrows at you through their words, especially when you’re working hard at journeying towards God? As you embark on your journey towards God, watch out for discouragers and accusers who will seek to bring you down through their words. Satan is known as the accuser of the brethren and his weapons are lies and accusations that contradict who you are in God.

Lastly, we look at verses 6 and 7, where the psalmist expresses frustration about dwelling among people who hate peace. As we journey towards God, we will encounter people who will walk in opposite spirits from us. How will we respond to those who don’t want peace but seek strife and unrest? Remember Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” What a privilege to be bringers of peace and identified as children of God!

Apply this psalm to your journey:
1. What do you struggle with in your journey towards God?
2. Have you been discouraged by negative people through their words?
3. How can you be a peacemaker when you encounter people who hate peace?

Enjoy the week and walk in the knowledge of His love for you. Find a way to bless someone out of their socks!

Love,
jenn