Psalms 120

A Song of degrees.

The present psalm, and the fourteen immediately following, are grouped under one title, termed, in the common English version, “Songs of degrees.” See note on title. The group is characterized by simplicity, national character, brevity, (except Psalms 132:0,) variety of sad and joyful tone, as indicating the changeful fortunes of the nation, a medium grade of poetic merit, and adaptation to popular use. Six were written by David, (Psalms 120, 122, 124, 131, 132, 133;) two by Solomon, (Psalms 127, 128;) and the remainder belong evidently to the period of the captivity and restoration. Ezra probably completed the group already begun by David. They cover the civic, domestic, and devotional spheres, and manifestly grew out of the experience of the nation. For reasons given in the notes, we shall adopt the hypothesis that they were designated and used as “pilgrim songs,” to be used especially by those going up to Jerusalem to the national feasts, though they have separate historic occasions.

Psalms 120:0 is a strain of unbroken complaint, caused by the falsehood, deceit, and implacable temper of the author’s enemies, to escape whom he had fled into exile, and was temporarily doomed to live among hostile barbarians. In Psalms 120:1-2, he records his prayer in distress; Psalms 120:3-4, are a denunciation upon the false tongue; Psalms 120:5-7, his lament over his sojourn with hostile tribes. The whole belongs to David during his abode in Arabia Petrea. The allusions point thither, and the circumstances suit the history of 1 Samuel 25:0.TITLE:

A Song of degrees Hebrew, Song of the goings up, or, of the ascents, מעלות , ( ma’aloth,) translated “degrees,” simply means steps, ascents, goings up; and is here manifestly used as the standing form of expressing a journey to Jerusalem, as being situated on a mountain. Thus Ezra 7:9, “Began he to go up.” The radical verb ‘alah, to go up, often expresses the act of going to Jerusalem, without mentioning the city. See Ezra 1:3; Ezra 1:5; Ezra 1:11; Ezra 2:1; Ezra 7:6-7; Ezra 7:9; Ezra 7:28; Ezra 8:1; 2 Kings 24:1; 2 Kings 24:10. From the days of David and Solomon the people were accustomed, especially under the reign of their pious kings, to go up to Jerusalem in great numbers to the annual festivals. Thus Psalms 122:4. “Whither the tribes go up,” etc.

See also Psalms 24:3. The custom, couched in the same form of speaking, is well brought out 1 Kings 12:27-28. In the New Testament the same usage obtains, (John 7:8; John 7:10; John 12:20; Acts 18:22; Acts 24:11,) where αναβαινω , is the Septuagint for עלה , ( ‘alah,) in the above passages. It is clear, therefore, that the word in question was popularly used to denote a pilgrim journey to Jerusalem. It is probable that these fifteen psalms were collected, or the collection completed, by Ezra for the special use of the pilgrims, for psalms for such public use should represent all the varied forms of the Church’s experience, whether of joy or sorrow.