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Day 313

Psalm 120:1 "In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me."

Day 313 – Psalm 120

“In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me.” Psalm 120:1

THE SONGS OF ASCENTS

There is a special collection of psalms called “Songs of Ascents” (Psalm 120-134). This collection of fifteen psalms is also known by another title, “Songs of Degrees.”

One explanation for the title of this collection of psalms was that they were sung by pilgrims making their way up to Jerusalem, hence the idea of “Ascending.” Pious Jews were expected to make three trips to Jerusalem each year to offer special worship to the Lord (Feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles).

Another explanation suggested was that this series of psalms was compiled by King Hezekiah to commemorate the special healing he received from the Lord (2 Kings 20:1-11). There is no way to prove that this explanation is more plausible than the first one.

DISTRESS IN LIFE

Psalm 120 commences with the psalmist dwelling on the distress he felt in his life.

“In my distress I cried to the LORD,
And He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.
What shall be given to you,
Or what shall be done to you,
You false tongue?
Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With coals of the broom tree!”
Psalm 120:1-4

1. Candid confession of distress made

a) Crying out to God in distress.
b) Prayer for deliverance was made.
c) Gratitude that God heard his prayer and delivered him.

2. Elements of an imprecatory prayer

a) Against the deceitful tongue.
b) Against the false tongue.
c) Severe judgment wished upon these enemies.
i) Sharp arrows- a reference to war, pain and suffering.
ii) Coals- strengthening further the idea of suffering for the wicked.