Psalm Devotional
Pray for Deliverance from Slander
Perhaps you have heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Some hurtful words are merely a slap in the face, but others are intended to destroy your reputation, your peace, and even your life. How can we deal with such deadly words? By seeking God for deliverance from them.
“A Song of Ascents” is the heading for each psalm in the series of 120 to 134—not just in the Greek version, as with other headings, but in the Hebrew also. This heading probably refers to the people of God going up to Mt. Zion in Jerusalem for the three annual feasts (2 Chr. 8:13; Ps. 24:3). Each of these psalms has this perspective more or less clearly. Psalm 120 is a suitable starting place (far away), and Psalm 134 is a suitable conclusion (in the temple).
Psalm 120 can be outlined in a few ways, each of which is helpful for our understanding and use. First, the psalmist may be speaking about past experience (v. 1) and then giving the details of it (vv. 2-7). Second, he may be relating past experience (v. 1) and then present trouble that he prays will have the same good outcome (vv. 2-7). Third, he may be presenting his current trouble (v. 1a), present assurance of deliverance (v. 1b; Acts 10:31) and persevering prayer for that deliverance (vv. 2-7).
