Psalm 120

Psalm 120

This Psalm and those that follow are called the Songs of Ascent. While not sure what ‘ascent’ we are talking about, the best guess is that they were sung as pilgrims made their final approach to Jerusalem.

Rather than the privilege of living in Jerusalem, the ‘city of peace,’ this person is living in “Meshech.” Meshech refers to a region populated by semi-nomadic bandits. These were a people who, unlike most nomads, who follow flocks, were always uprooting their lives and tents to go plunder and pillage. We may be more familiar with the ravages of the Huns, drug cartels, or street gangs. We might get a sense of this poem with this: “I want to live in a safe town, sink roots, have a family, do honest work, and live in God’s peace. But I, unfortunately, live in the friction zone of a gang turf war. I want to live in God’s shalom, but everyone around me is bent on conflict. " There is a desire for justice for these people (vs. 2-9). In our world these people are still here. The best way to not become like them is to pursue peace.

“Lord, in a world of conflict, help me be an agent of Your peace. AMEN.”