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The author of this psalm has been left behind.
Note that Psalm 120 has the title Song of Ascents, which were psalms sung by pilgrims traveling to worship at the temple in Jerusalem. But in verse 5 we read …
Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! (ESV)
Let’s break this verse down, because without a deep dive we won’t know the true meaning. Meshech was in modern day Turkey (north of Israel) and Kedar in the Saudi Arabian desert (south of Israel) and both over a thousand miles apart.
Meshech was a Gentile nation and the people of Kedar were descended from Ishmael. When the author of Psalm 120 says that he dwells among the tents of Meshech and Kedar, a thousand miles apart, he wasn’t indicating that these two locations were his actual dwelling place because he couldn’t be in two places at the same time.
In the cultural time of Psalm 120 “Meshech” and “Kedar” were euphemisms for evil people. The author was saying in our language today, “Everyone else gets to go to Jerusalem while I have to stay behind with narcissists, ruffians, atheists, agnostics, and malcontents.”
The author complains …
Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! (vv. 6-7)
Or in more modern terms …
I just want peace, to serve the Lord, and I’m stuck with these people who are constantly fighting and can’t get along with anybody (vv. 6-7, OGV [Old Guy Version]).
Have you ever felt held back by others? Has someone stolen a blessing from you? Note that these miscreants (narcissists, ruffians, atheists, agnostics, and malcontents) were actually Jews living in the same area as the author of Psalm 120.
One commentator writes …
Believers today must not only live with unbelievers but also with professed believers who live like unbelievers. Paul sometimes shamed the believers to whom he wrote by comparing them to the Gentiles and pagans, meaning the outsiders and unsaved (1 Corinthians 5:1 and Ephesians 4:17). I believe that most problems in churches are caused by professed believers who do not have a real and vital relationship with Jesus.
A businessman said to me recently …
I’m a believer running a Christian business, and why is it that Christians think that I should give them a discount or not pay their bills on time simply because they are Christians too?
HHHHMMMHHM! Does Paul’s in the following admonition exemplify our actions towards others with whom we worship within the House of the Lord?
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:16-17, ESV).
Psalm 120 describes how hypocrites, who should be living in the Spirit, grieve the Spirit through their actions, attitudes, and words, bringing disdain on the church and hindering the faith of other believers.
Let’s remember, “In our distress, call to the Lord, and He will answer us and take care of the problem” (Psalm 120:1, OGV).
Amen. Peace out!