Psalm 120:1-7 NIV I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, Lord , from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
A Cry For Truth And Peace
Psalm 120 is in a group of songs know by a variety of translated terms; "A Song of Degrees", "A Song of Ascents", and "A Pilgrim Song." Various theories as to the meaning of the term relate it to the return from exile in Babylon. The most likely theory is mat this collection arose as a hymnbook for pilgrims coming up to the Temple for the great feasts.
Psalm 120 is a cry of deliverance from someone who has to associate with people who lie and give misleading statements. For us today it may be working with others, or even family members, who lie for the sake of promotion, or to gain favor with manager, supervisor, or other workers, or to cover up and hide dishonesty and harmful actions.
The psalmist then asks God to be the judge their lies and deceit. The lesson for us is to ask God to determine the outcome for wrongdoing. His judgement is just, ours may not be because we want to punish where God disciplines.
The goal of discipline is to bring about change, punishment merely metes out justice.
The purpose of punishment is to inflict penalty. The purpose of discipline is to promote growth.
The focus of punishment is on the past — what you've done wrong.
The focus of discipline is on the future — what you can be.The attitude behind punishment is anger. The attitude behind discipline is love. - Rick Warren (See my blog post Discipline Versus Punishment)
The psalmist then ends with a complaint because he is forced to live among those who are his enemies. Just as he did we cry out for release and deliverance and just like him our plea is based on the fact that we know that deliverance will come.
Revelation 21:1-4 (NLT)1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
A Cry For Truth And Peace
Psalm 120 is in a group of songs know by a variety of translated terms; "A Song of Degrees", "A Song of Ascents", and "A Pilgrim Song." Various theories as to the meaning of the term relate it to the return from exile in Babylon. The most likely theory is mat this collection arose as a hymnbook for pilgrims coming up to the Temple for the great feasts.
Psalm 120 is a cry of deliverance from someone who has to associate with people who lie and give misleading statements. For us today it may be working with others, or even family members, who lie for the sake of promotion, or to gain favor with manager, supervisor, or other workers, or to cover up and hide dishonesty and harmful actions.
The psalmist then asks God to be the judge their lies and deceit. The lesson for us is to ask God to determine the outcome for wrongdoing. His judgement is just, ours may not be because we want to punish where God disciplines.
The goal of discipline is to bring about change, punishment merely metes out justice.
The purpose of punishment is to inflict penalty. The purpose of discipline is to promote growth.
The focus of punishment is on the past — what you've done wrong.
The focus of discipline is on the future — what you can be.The attitude behind punishment is anger. The attitude behind discipline is love. - Rick Warren (See my blog post Discipline Versus Punishment)
The psalmist then ends with a complaint because he is forced to live among those who are his enemies. Just as he did we cry out for release and deliverance and just like him our plea is based on the fact that we know that deliverance will come.
Revelation 21:1-4 (NLT)1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
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