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Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war. (Psalms 120:5-7 NIV) In this first of the "song of ascents," the Psalmist expresses his weariness and exasperation at living in the midst of a warlike, violent people. These people with "deceitful tongues" who "hate peace" sound very much like the Palestinians of today. As I write this, I am on the return flight after eight days in Jerusalem, during the "Days of Awe." This year, as you know, those days were characterized by extreme violence in many places by the Palestinians. For we who were visiting, it was a nervous time. For those who live there, the continual tense, unsettled atmosphere is very similar to what the Psalmist described. Psalm 120 is the first of fifteen "song of ascents." As we examine them more closely, as a progression, we see a very exciting theme unfold. These Psalms, which have individually provided inspiration for countless individuals over the centuries, seem to have a special significance for these days. We have seen that the first of the Psalms describes a chronically violent situation caused by men of deceit. To provide a significant clue as to the theme of the "song of ascents" as a whole, let's look at the final psalm of the series, Psalm 134. A song of ascents. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion. (Psalms 134:1-3) This is the final and climatic of the "song of ascents." It speaks of a day when people praise and serve in the house of the Lord in Zion. This, therefore, gives us the key to understanding the series of Psalms. It speaks of the process of the future rebuilding and restoration of the house of the Lord. This is very exciting to understand, as we are living in the days of the first of these songs. One aspect that is present in many of these songs is a plea for help, deliverance, and mercy from the Lord. In the first song, Psalm 120, the writer cries out for assistance because of the violent, deceitful people who surround him: "Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue." (Psalms 120:2) This is the cry today of the people of Israel in response to Arafat. Though Israel desires peace, and futilely attempts to achieve it through foolish concessions and appeasement, "they (the Palestinians) are for war." Here is God's response: "What will he do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue? He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom tree." (Psalms 120:3-4 NIV) Arafat, notice the repetitive emphasis on verse 3, "and what more besides." Not only is the Lord going to give you a dose of His displeasure, but a double dose. He will pile on the punishment and then pile on some more.
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