2 Jehovah, deliver my soul from the lying lip, from the deceitful tongue.
Thy tongue deviseth mischievous things, like a sharp razor, practising deceit. Thou hast loved evil rather than good, lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou hast loved all devouring words, O deceitful tongue!
{To the chief Musician. Of David. A Psalm.} O God of my praise, be not silent: For the mouth of the wicked [man] and the mouth of deceit are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue,
{To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} Free me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; preserve me from the violent man: Who devise mischiefs in [their] heart; every day are they banded together for war. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
And the chief priests and the elders and the whole sanhedrim sought false witness against Jesus, so that they might put him to death. And they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. But at the last two false witnesses came forward and said, *He* said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and in three days build it. And the high priest standing up said to him, Answerest thou nothing? What do these witness against thee?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 120
Commentary on Psalms 120 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 120
Ps 120:1-7. This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Ps 121:1—literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It seems most probable they were designed for the use of the people when going up (compare 1Ki 12:27, 28) to Jerusalem on the festival occasions (De 16:16), three times a year. David appears as the author of four, Solomon of one (Ps 127:1), and the other ten are anonymous, probably composed after the captivity. In this Psalm the writer acknowledges God's mercy, prays for relief from a malicious foe, whose punishment he anticipates, and then repeats his complaint.
2, 3. Slander and deceit charged on his foes implies his innocence.
tongue—as in Ps 52:2, 4.
4. Sharp arrows of the mighty—destructive inflictions.
coals of juniper—which retain heat long. This verse may be read as a description of the wicked, but better as their punishment, in reply to the question of Ps 120:3.
5. A residence in these remote lands pictures his miserable condition.
6, 7. While those who surrounded him were maliciously hostile, he was disposed to peace. This Psalm may well begin such a series as this, as a contrast to the promised joys of God's worship.