In My Distress I Cried Unto the Lord (Psalm 120)

Psalm 120 is the first of the fifteen Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). It's a short psalm, expressing a cry for deliverance and peace in the midst of distress and falsehood.

The psalm starts with the psalmist expressing his deep distress and how he turns to the Lord for deliverance. In his lament, he vividly describes the deceit and lies of those around him, conveying a profound feeling of being engulfed by hostile forces. This sense of conflict is further emphasized as the psalmist contemplates the consequences that await the deceitful, suggesting a divine retribution for their actions. Amidst this atmosphere of hostility and conflict, the psalmist's plea for peace stands out, though it is faced with resistance. This portrayal of a personal struggle against deceit and the longing for peace captures a poignant human experience, seeking divine intervention in times of turmoil.

Although the psalm is short it elevates these themes:

• Human Cry for Divine Intervention (אֶל־יְהוָה בַּצָּרָתָה לִּי קָרָאתִי [el-Adonaj ba-tzarat li karati]): The psalm illustrates the human experience of calling out to God (קָרָא [kara]) in times of trouble, a theme echoed throughout many psalms (Psalm 18:6; Psalm 34:17).
• Conflict Between Truth and Falsehood (מִשְּׂפַת־שֶׁקֶר מִלָּשׁוֹן רְמִיָּה [mi-sfat-sheker mi-lashon r'miyah]): The psalm spotlights the struggle between truth (אֱמֶת [emet]) and deceit (רְמִיָּה [r'miyah]), a central moral battle in biblical texts (see Proverbs 12:17; Zechariah 8:16).
• Yearning for Peace (אֲנִי־שָׁלוֹם [ani-shalom]): The psalmist's desire for peace (שָׁלוֹם [shalom]) amidst hostility reflects a deep yearning for shalom, significant in both personal and communal faith (see Isaiah 32:17; Psalm 34:14).
• God as a Source of Help (יְהוָ֗ה הַצִּילָה נַפְשִׁי [adonaj hatzilah nafshi]): The psalm reinforces the belief in God (אֱלֹהִים [elohim]) as a refuge (מַחֲסֶה [machaseh]) and protector (מָגֵן [magen]), a key aspect of faith in the Tanak (see Psalm 46:1; Deuteronomy 33:27).

Psalm 120 sets the tone for the Psalms of Ascent as a journey from distress to a place of peace and security, symbolized by the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It holds a place of comfort and identification for those who find themselves in similar circumstances, calling out for God's intervention in their lives.