Thought for the Week
Psalm 120:1 provides an introduction to the entire collection. It is not immediately obvious in the English but the Hebrew commences with a reference to the Name of God, Yahweh – “To Yahweh” is the opening words of the collection and this structure introduces the focus of the collection. Throughout the collection every direct reference to God includes his name and this contains deeper meaning for us both in it’s connection to ancient blessings and in it’s covenant meaning.
Calling out to Yahweh and waiting for his answer is expressed quite a few ways in the Psalms and throughout the poetry of the Old Testament. The poetry used in this verse enhances the certainty of the hope – this structure is a deliberate action by the Hebrew Writer to show that the second action results from the first – literally the verse means:
“I called, and as a result of my calling, He answered me.”
WEEKLY READING
Psalm 120
1 In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
In my distress I called to the Lord and He answered me.
— Psalm 120:1
