(A Song of Ascents*) In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

The deeply felt troubles of a Psalmist laid bare, but with words that speak to a Christian today, living in a world who despises peace, and arming themselves for war, with greed and covetousness and self-interest, whether between nations, or neighbours or spouses etc. But the solution is the same - the call is to the Lord and He answers - perhaps not with the solution you want, but with a solution that brings glory to Himself. Daily we become troubled by the deeds of the wicked, we are distressed by the conversations of the unrighteous, even our neighbours, as this psalmist indicates. It is their sin that dismays the believer. These folk defame the righteous - they cannot tolerate peace. They are the antichrists and their followers. The solution of the believer is to rely upon the Lord.

Rightly, this psalm portraits the rightous godly remnant of Israel awaiting the return of Messiah. The One who is the keeper of covenants, and protector of the believing remnant, and who answers prayers. But equally it speaks to the rightous remnant of Christendom, awaiting the coming Christ.

* Psalm 120 - 134 are 15 small Psalms that a sung or chanted as Jews go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feasts of Jehovah.