In the original Hebrew the words “on the Lord” come first in this verse and thus are emphasized. The psalmist prays to God to deliver him from false and malicious tongues. And apart from God there may be no way out. (1-4) He complains of wicked neighbours. If so, that’s what these Psalms of Ascent are all about. I suspect it has been for you, as well. We might call it poetic justice. You are in great anguish because you don’t see any way out. Psa. So let’s read this psalm together as we get started. 3-4 Do you know what’s next, can you see what’s coming, all you barefaced liars?Pointed arrows and burning coals will be your reward. As Jesus said in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. And so if the arrows in Psalm 120 speak of the suddenness of the judgment, the coals speak of the duration of the judgment. It's easier to go down than up, and never underestimate the difficulty of the climb Psalm chapter 120 is the first of 15 chapters called "the psalms of ascent". 2) Know that God will punish the wicked. But take heart! Check out these helpful resources Biblical Commentary Sermons Children’s Sermons Hymn Lists. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:14-16), B. Which is exactly what the psalmist does in verse 2: “Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” (Psalm 120:2) The psalmist began by stating a general fact – he calls on the Lord in times of trouble, and the Lord answers him. The world is opposed to God’s people. Psalm 120 begins the wonderful little collection in the back of the Psalms called the Psalms of Ascent. As Jesus prayed in John 17: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. Arrows and fire: a warrior’s sharp arrows and the burning coals of the broom tree. I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” (Psalm 120:5-7) And there are a number of things we can learn from these verses as believers in Christ. Click here for more messages from the Psalms of Ascent Series. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2) This is what you were made for. The world has no place for God or Christ, and therefore as a follower of Christ you are going to feel out of place in this world. Psalm 123:1 A Song of degrees. This is a psalm about trouble. Know that God will judge the wicked (3-4). Psalm 120: God’s presence during distress Psalm 121: Joyful praise to the Lord Psalm 122: Prayer for Jerusalem Psalm 123: Patience for God’s mercy Psalm 124: Help comes from the Lord Psalm 125: Prayer for God’s blessing upon His people Psalm 126: The Lord has done great things Psalm 127: God’s blessing on man’s efforts He obtained a gracious answer to this prayer. (See The Daily Study Bible, Psalms, Vol. God’s judgment is certain and severe. We get tired of this world and living in the ways of the world, and so we begin our journey of drawing closer to God and his ways. Welcome! That is, this is a Psalm that worshipers would sing as they made their way to Jerusalem to participate in the three great annual feasts; Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. This world is a hostile place full of lies and war. The psalmist cries out to the Lord, and the Lord answers him. Call on the Lord in times of trouble. He then asks God to deliver him from the specific trouble that he faces, which in his case is lying lips and deceitful tongues. Dr. Philip W. McLarty. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. A. As we work our way through these psalms and all that they teach us about our relationship with God, you will see that the Psalms of Ascent really serve as stepping stones along the way. (see Exodus 3:14-16; Deuteronomy 16:16 for descriptions of the three feasts), Of course, the big one of all these feasts was the Passover. You can watch the online worship service on Sunday morning together, or lead your own worship service using the home worship resources we provide. Because as Christians we also are on a journey – not on a literal journey to Jerusalem, of course, but rather a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage of the heart. "What shall be given unto thee? Sign In. Thanks for visiting! Have you ever gone on a road trip and put together a play list or mix of songs for the journey? One day this land will be returned to him but until th In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. Sing along to prerecorded music, bring a guitar, or sing unaccompanied! But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down. Cry out for him to save you (ex. We don’t always fit. Look at verses 3-4 where we read: “What will he do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue? And you might wonder why the Psalms of Ascent would begin with a song about trouble. Do you long for true peace in your life? Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. That’s why Jesus said in John 16: “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Psalm 120 shows us the best way. Our culture is in free fall, moral decline, filled with injustice and sin. 121:1-8 HANG ON, HELP IS COMING!. In this world you will have trouble. Jesus said in John 4:24: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) These deceitful lies are the exact opposite of the atmosphere of truthful worship that God calls us to and the psalmist so desires.       – John 4:24. If you are new here, be sure to subscribe by email or feed reader so that you don't miss any future posts. The word “save” here means “to deliver or rescue, to snatch away.” The psalmist is surrounded by liars and he asks God to deliver him. He is ready to begin his journey to go and meet with God. So Psalm 120 starts our journey by teaching us about how we should respond to God in times of trouble. Click here for more messages from the book of Psalms. 1 I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. We read in Jeremiah 9:8: “Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit.” (Jeremiah 9:8) And we read in James 3:6: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.” (James 3:6) And so we see that the tongue in Scripture is compared negatively to both arrows and fire. Find the parts here. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. In scripture the word serve is used … Psalm 120 is the first of fifteen Psalms of ascent (Psalm 120 to Psalm 134). This is what you truly desire in your heart of hearts – to meet with God and to know the beauty of his presence. The world is opposed to God’s truth. Psalm 120 is the first of these Psalms and it is a psalm about praying in times of trouble. Look at verses 5-7 where the psalmist writes: “Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! It’s uncomfortable for us. But now here in Psalm 130 the greater concern is dwelling with my own sin! As Christians we don’t belong here. Nobody likes trouble, but God can use trouble to draw you closer to him. When God’s judgment comes, it comes suddenly, but it will not end quickly. It’s brief, concrete and straightforward; plus, it gives us specific direction as to what God would have us … He should pray.” (James 5:13) But what James 5:13 tells us by way of instruction, Psalm 120 tells us by way of testimony. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:2). You are in great anguish because you don’t see any way out. (Ps. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. This week's scripture: Psalm 120. He pays attention to you. And in the midst of a hostile world, the Christian longs for peace. So they are called Psalms of Ascent first of all because they were sung by people literally going “up” to Jerusalem. The whole family would come for Passover while only the men were required to go up for the other two feasts. He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. This psalm teaches us to express our frustration and anger and sadness to God and to look to him as the one who gives us hope and strength for the journey. The people of Meshech lived to the north by the Black Sea. God hears you when you pray This Psalm reminds us that the reason we are pilgrims is because the world in its present state is not our home. RayFowler.org is a place to discuss various issues relating to God and life. May we see how this, which is the introductory psalm to those fourteen which follow, styled Songs of Degrees, hath a concern with our Lord Jesus Christ; and that David the son of Jesse was in many … It’s the same way for Christians living in the world. We read in Luke 2:41-42: “Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. Psalm 100 ranks second only to the 23rd Psalm in popularity. Once again, greater maturity in Christ brings greater consciousness of our own sin and God’s mercy in our lives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). So when people attack you, love them and forgive them. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. The Paperback Bible presents the Bible by the Book and is designed to be portable, readable, and truly personal with ample margins for notations. They are short, easy to memorize, and meant to be sung in praise and worship to God. They begin with dissatisfaction and discontent. But they are also called Psalms of Ascent because the psalms themselves have an upward motion. May every good man be delivered from … I. © Ray Fowler. “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” (Psalm 120:1) God hears you when you pray. The psalmist describes what we are in today in a place that endeavors to be without God. 100:2). And so I want you to know as we enter this New Year that whatever your trouble, God is there for you. A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way. That’s what the psalmist says in verse 1: “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.” (Psalm 120:1) That is astonishing. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19), And even though we may not feel comfortable living in the world, this is exactly the place where God has chosen for us to live out our Christian faith in obedience to him and as a witness to others. This is what you have been looking for all your life. Do you take it out on others? One likely occasion for the composition of this psalm is David’s recollection of the lies of Doeg the Edomite. It's one of a collection called "Songs of Ascents". No, when they lie about you it’s meant to hurt you. The psalm, "A song of degrees." The Psalms of Ascent are all about going to meet with God, to worship him in the beauty of his presence. And according to Psalm 120 what is the punishment for a deceitful tongue? Register! Meshech and Kedar in Psalm 120 refer to peoples rather than places. As a Christian you are called to be different from the world. III. Back to Sermon on Psalm. Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. And not just prayer during the good times. There is no way to meet with God apart from prayer. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. In the New Testament we get a fuller revelation of who the Lord is.       – Psalm 42:2; Philippians 3:20, The Christian is not only uncomfortable living in the world. God will judge the wicked but save his people. And we have learned three important applications from it this morning: 1) Call on the Lord in times of trouble. Now you'll notice these psalms have a heading. They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear…. CONCLUSION: Psalm 120 is the psalm that starts us on our journey in the Psalms of Ascent. Everyone cries out when they are in trouble. or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? " When in trouble, pray. I do not give to you as the world gives. Have you ever been lied to? What If We Already Lived Together Before Marriage? Coals burn slowly and point to a judgment that lasts a long time. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Click here to return to the Sermons page. And really, what could be more appropriate? And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) This world is not our home. The notes explain some of the words with a *star by them. Yom Kippur (also known as the Day of Atonement) and Rosh Hashanah (also known as the Feast of Trumpets or the Jewish New Year) both took place five and ten days before the fall feast, and so some people would travel early to celebrate these as well. | 100 views. Please include the following statement on any distributed copies: Favoriting is a great way to keep a list of sermons, programs, and ministry resources in your account. For Meditation Psalm 120 begins the wonderful little collection in the back of the Psalms called the Psalms of Ascent. We may be living on earth, but our citizenship is in heaven. An EasyEnglish Translation with Notes (about 1200 word vocabulary) on Psalm 120. www.easyenglish.bible. As we read in Psalm 140: “Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused. What do you do when you are in trouble? You can be certain that he will not miss. The world hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their evil deeds will be exposed. Psalm 120 especially focuses on prayer during the bad times. 2, G. A. F. Knight, The St. Andrew Press, Edinburgh, p. 278). Contributed by Rodney Johnson on Oct 30, 2020. We are pilgrims on a journey, strangers in a strange land. Or do you pray? Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9) Romans 12:18 tells you: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18). This collection includes Psalm 120 - 134 -- fifteen in all. Psalm 122: Passion,… Recent Sermons. Sermons on Psalm 121 Select one: A Pilgrim's Journey (Psalms 120:1-7)(Psalms 121:1-8)(Psalms 122:1-9) My Help Comes From the Lord (Psalms 121:1-8) See all sermons on Psalms Rulership and Responsibility for Creation, A Final Easter Cartoon from B.C. The people of Kedar lived to the south in the Arabian Desert. And so as we read the Psalms of Ascent today, they hold great meaning for us as well. We started way back in Psalm 120 where the main concern for the psalmist was dwelling with evil men and their sin. Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.” (Psalm 120:5-6), We often see the phrase “how long” in the Psalms but this is the only time we see the phrase “too long.” The psalmist says it’s been too long! Treasure Them Up. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:23-24). How about you? That’s why we read in Romans 12:19: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) It’s not your place to judge the sins of others. In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! The Christian is uncomfortable living in the world Sermon on Psalm 120:1-7. It’s never that you’re a terrible person and they go around telling everyone how good you are, right? It works everywhere you sign in, even with the mobile app! I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.” (Psalm 120:6-7). He hears your every word. (5-7) 1-4 The psalmist was brought into great distress by a deceitful tongue. The broom tree is a tree about twelve-feet in height. The home worship service guide follows the same rhythms of that week’s live service. The one-hundred and twenty-first psalm has been one of my favorites for years. Christ left his true home to come here to be among us. James 5:13 tells us plainly: “Is any one of you in trouble? In preparation for worship, spend some time slowly reading through the Psalm, meditating on it and try to put it in your own words as you pray it back to God. “Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!” (Psalm 120:5). The word translated “deceitful” here in verse two is a word that means “treacherous.” It is related to the word that means “to shoot an arrow.” These are nasty, cutting, wounding lies that damage your reputation and pierce like sharp arrows. “Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Psalm 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. Know that you do not belong to the world (5-7). There are fifteen of them, Psalms 120-134, and if you look in your Bible, you will notice that they all share this common inscription: “A song of ascents.” The word “ascents there is a word that means “steps” or “going up.”, One of the reasons they are called Psalms of Ascent is because these are psalms that were sung by Jews traveling to Jerusalem for the three annual feasts. And the reason why is simple and yet at the same time so remarkable. The first sermon in our series; "Psalms of Ascent". And then finally, the Christian longs for peace in the midst of a hostile world. An enemy took the low road, but the psalmist sought the high road, by not taking personal vengeance or repaying evil with evil, but And so the psalmist is surrounded by people who do not care about God or God’s ways. The world is opposed to God and his ways. The Psalms of Ascent | Stepping Stones to God’s Heart, “Praying in Times of Trouble” (Psalm 120), “I call on the Lord in my distress.” (Psalm 120:1), INTRODUCTION: Today is the first day of the New Year and between now and Easter we will be studying a special group of psalms in the Bible called the Psalms of Ascent. They are also called Pilgrim Songs. Psalm 121:1-8 Where Does Your Help Come From? Why not start the journey with a happy song? We long to be with Christ. He is tired of it all. Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” (Psalm 120:1-2). Render honor to God. Hello and welcome to RayFowler.org. Sermon Psalm 100:1-5 A Matter of Gratitude. It’s very painful. They forged false charges against him. The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:20: “But our citizenship is in heaven. Words in brackets, ( ), are not in the *Hebrew Bible. Proverbs 26:27 says: “If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.” (Proverbs 26:27) In other words, a man reaps what he sows. ... Death and Life: Part Two. When a pilgrim left home to go up to the Temple, he was going to worship the God of truth. Psalm 120 A song of ascents. Or, "what shall … Four Seasons Of Life Part 3 Series. And so the Psalms of Ascent begin with a call to prayer. Look at verses 1-2: “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. The arrows here speak of the suddenness of God’s judgment coming upon the wicked. C. The Christian longs for peace in the midst of a hostile world Cry out to him. And therefore when you are in trouble, you should cry out for God to save you. It is also certain and severe. It means that as followers of Christ we are in the world but not of the world. 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