2 Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, `And' from a deceitful tongue.
Unrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not.
Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good, And lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah Thou lovest all devouring words, thou deceitful tongue.
Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man: Who devise mischiefs in their heart; Continually do they gather themselves together for war. They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders' poison is under their lips. Selah
Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight.
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two, and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
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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.