4 Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with burning coals of broom-wood.
Thine arrows are sharp -- peoples fall under thee -- in the heart of the king's enemies.
Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.
But to the fearful and unbelieving, [and sinners], and those who make themselves abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [is] in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
Thus also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how little a fire, how large a wood it kindles! and the tongue [is] fire, the world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set in our members, the defiler of the whole body, and which sets fire to the course of nature, and is set on fire of hell. For every species both of beasts and of birds, both of creeping things and of sea animals, is tamed and has been tamed by the human species; but the tongue can no one among men tame; [it is] an unsettled evil, full of death-bringing poison.
A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
I will heap mischiefs upon them; Mine arrows will I spend against them. They shall be consumed with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, And with poisonous pestilence; And the teeth of beasts will I send against them, With the poison of what crawleth in the dust.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.
[As for] the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall on them; let them be cast into the fire; into deep waters, that they rise not up again. Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] ruin.
My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down [among] them that breathe out flames, the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
ùGod shall likewise destroy thee for ever; he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of [thy] tent, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
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.