Psalms 120:1-7

Psalm PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 120:1. Psalms 120:1 is the first of the “Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120:1). This diverse group includes individual and corporate laments, songs of confidence, thanksgiving hymns, a song celebrating Zion, wisdom psalms, a royal psalm, and a psalm for worship. Since Jerusalem has a high elevation, those coming to worship had to ascend to get there. These songs were sung during the climb to Jerusalem (Psalms 122:4; see 1 Kings 12:28; Zechariah 14:16). Psalms 120:1 is an individual lament, sung by someone living away from Israel (v. Psalms 120:5). Deceitful people are stirring up war, while the psalmist prefers peace. It is possible that the psalm originated during the exile, when God told his people to seek the “welfare” (or “peace”) of the city to which they were sent (Jeremiah 29:7). Worship in Jerusalem, both for the singer and for the Gentiles, is the key to such peace (Psalms 120:5; see Isaiah 2:3).