Have you ever felt lonely in the midst of a crowd? Have you ever felt like you were swimming upstream against an increasingly hostile culture? The Psalmist would understand. In verse 5, he felt as out of place as though he were living as far away from his homeland in Israel as Asia Minor (Meshech) or Arabia (Kedar). Some of the people he knew were telling lies about him (verse 2). Others may have agreed with him on matters of morality and ethics, but rejected peaceful ways of making their opinions known, pursuing violence instead (verses 5 and 7).

That’s why he wrote this “Song of Ascents,” a psalm intended to be sung by those who were making their way to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple of God. For by describing his problems in such a graphic way, he anticipates the sweet relief of worship, a welcome break from the active hostility and opposition that surrounded him.

And that’s what the Church should be for all of us – a place of mutual support instead of backbiting and criticism, a place of peace and love instead of violence and hatred. When we gather with others who agree with us on the essentials of the Christian faith, we should enjoy rest and peace, an oasis from the war of words that passes for civil discourse these days.

And the good news is that, when we draw aside from the world, when we join our voices with fellow believers, crying out to the Lord for help in the midst of all sorts of troubles, we can be confident that He will answer us (verse 1). We can be confident that the Lord will be with His people (Matthew 28:20), especially as we teach one another everything that He has commanded in His Word.

But as we come together as the people of Christ, let’s do whatever it takes to leave behind all the things that wearied the psalmist so much, all the lies and conflict that wear us down. As Paul says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NAS). Isn’t that kind of Church we all want and need?

Psalm 120 (NASB)

A Song of Ascents . In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.
2 Deliver my soul, 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 Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the burning coals of the broom tree.
5 Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech, For I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long has my soul had its dwelling With those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace, but when I speak, They are for war.