Psalms 120:5 (ESV Strong's)
Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Living in the Midst of Hostility
This song was written as a cry from the writer to be set free from those who want war. Note the last line:
Psalms 120:7 (ESV Strong's)
I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
The writer wants peace. In the beginning of the song he expresses great confidence that God will deliver him and give him peace:
Psalms 120:2 (ESV Strong's)
Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
Yet, he begins this top verse with “woe is me.” That is a Hebrew phrase you would hear at a funeral. The contrast between war and peace is found in this verse. The geographical locations of Meshech and Kedar are important to the author. Meshech is far to the north and Kedar is far to the east. They are on the fringe and in hostile territory. The writer is not saying he physically leaves in these places but, since these places are known for their violence, he feels like he is. If you have ever lived in a hostile home, work environment, community or even church, you can relate to this feeling. If you live with, or have to deal with someone who is always for “war,” when all you want is peace, you can relate to this entire song. The answer to all this is actually found in the first verse of the song. We are to not trust those we live with or trying to “win” over to peace. We are to put our confidence in the power and person of God:
Psalms 120:1 (ESV Strong's)
In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
In our distress we call to God and, by faith, we know that He hears us. God fights our battles. When we are for peace and they are for war we continue to put our faith in God who will deliver us, even though we live in the regions of Meshech and Kedar.
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