Every journey starts with the first step and delaying won’t make it any better.”
–Cliff Hudgins (Viejo and the Ranger)
“And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
“And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
–Isaiah 35:8 (NIV, 1978)
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“The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah…” Or perhaps you sang, “This old man, he played one, he played knick-knack on his thumb…” Traveling can be tedious, and can you imagine what it was like in the time of David? Think about it. Petersen writes, “If you had one donkey and five children, even fifty miles was a long journey.” The next fourteen psalms are titled, “A song for the ascent to Jerusalem,” or more literally, “A song of ascents.” Psalms 120-134 were songs that pilgrims would sing on their way to Jerusalem, “they were good for communal singing as a caravan plodded its way up toward Jerusalem.” (Petersen) Hmmm, perhaps these psalms would be good for us and refresh us as we make our spiritual climb up the glory road. We start our travel with Psalm 120.
“A hand divine shall lead you on
And up the blissful road,
Till to the sacred mount you rise
And see your smiling God.”
–Philip Doddridge
1 — In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me.
2 — Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.
3 — What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?
4 — Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree!
5 — Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 — My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace.
7 — I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (NKJV)
This Psalmist must have felt some personal pain, but he knew where to turn. We don’t know his problems, but he knew that the way back to spiritual health was in asking God for help. We see also here that he lived in the midst of those who slandered him for his trust in God. He must have been in deep distress because he utters, “Woe is me”.
This person most likely does not live in Meshech or Kedar, but uses them to describe his plight as he thought those slandering him were like them. Meshech was a barbaric tribe far north of Israel. Kedar was an amoral clan to the southeast, the second son of Ishmael. They were described as living in hostility toward all their brothers. Both of these peoples are seen as part of an evil society–gossip, slander, and filthy talk were commonplace.
Leaving the lowlands, the pain that is felt because of the constant pull to compromise and the evil, wicked talk about the person this pilgrim will begin his journey toward the holy city in distress. Perhaps he is looking forward to being in Jerusalem among God’s people. Whatever, he decides to leave the place of pain or compromise. I like the way George Wood puts it, “You’re ‘valley low’ when you begin. How will you ever get up the hill, on top? Follow the example of this Psalmist. He began his ascent by letting God know he wanted out. He put his heart in the right direction even before his feet had climbed the first step upward.” What a way to start the journey–taking the step upward!
“Should burning arrows smite thee through,
Strict justice would approve.
But I had rather spare my foe
And melt his heart with love.”
–Isaac Watts
——————————–
“The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah…” Or perhaps you sang, “This old man, he played one, he played knick-knack on his thumb…” Traveling can be tedious, and can you imagine what it was like in the time of David? Think about it. Petersen writes, “If you had one donkey and five children, even fifty miles was a long journey.” The next fourteen psalms are titled, “A song for the ascent to Jerusalem,” or more literally, “A song of ascents.” Psalms 120-134 were songs that pilgrims would sing on their way to Jerusalem, “they were good for communal singing as a caravan plodded its way up toward Jerusalem.” (Petersen) Hmmm, perhaps these psalms would be good for us and refresh us as we make our spiritual climb up the glory road. We start our travel with Psalm 120.
“A hand divine shall lead you on
And up the blissful road,
Till to the sacred mount you rise
And see your smiling God.”
–Philip Doddridge
1 — In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me.
2 — Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.
3 — What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?
4 — Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree!
5 — Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 — My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace.
7 — I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (NKJV)
This Psalmist must have felt some personal pain, but he knew where to turn. We don’t know his problems, but he knew that the way back to spiritual health was in asking God for help. We see also here that he lived in the midst of those who slandered him for his trust in God. He must have been in deep distress because he utters, “Woe is me”.
This person most likely does not live in Meshech or Kedar, but uses them to describe his plight as he thought those slandering him were like them. Meshech was a barbaric tribe far north of Israel. Kedar was an amoral clan to the southeast, the second son of Ishmael. They were described as living in hostility toward all their brothers. Both of these peoples are seen as part of an evil society–gossip, slander, and filthy talk were commonplace.
Leaving the lowlands, the pain that is felt because of the constant pull to compromise and the evil, wicked talk about the person this pilgrim will begin his journey toward the holy city in distress. Perhaps he is looking forward to being in Jerusalem among God’s people. Whatever, he decides to leave the place of pain or compromise. I like the way George Wood puts it, “You’re ‘valley low’ when you begin. How will you ever get up the hill, on top? Follow the example of this Psalmist. He began his ascent by letting God know he wanted out. He put his heart in the right direction even before his feet had climbed the first step upward.” What a way to start the journey–taking the step upward!
“Should burning arrows smite thee through,
Strict justice would approve.
But I had rather spare my foe
And melt his heart with love.”
–Isaac Watts