Psalms 120:1 — Word Study
WLCאֶל־ יְ֭הוָה בַּצָּרָ֣תָה לִּ֑י קָ֝רָ֗אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃
BSAA songshîyr of ascentsmaʻălâh In my distresstsârâh [trouble, vexation, or being hemmed in] I criedqârâʼ■ [called out, uttered a loud voice] toʼêl the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the self-existent God] and He answered meʻânâh▸ [heard, responded, or gave an oracle to]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| יְ֭הוָה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| בַּצָּרָ֣תָה | in distress | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute, suffix |
| לִּ֑י | of me | Preposition, suffix |
| קָ֝רָ֗אתִי | I called out | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃ | and he answered me | Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. |
| KJV | In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. |
| ASV | In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me. |
| YLT | A Song of the Ascents. Unto Jehovah in my distress I have called, And He answereth me. |
| WEB | In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me. |
| BBE | In my trouble my cry went up to the Lord, and he gave me an answer. |
Translations agree on the representation of יְהוָה as 'the LORD'.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by a subordinate clause, emphasizing the action of crying out and the subsequent response.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
verbה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 120:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Cry for Helpgenerated
Psalm 120:1 expresses a heartfelt cry to the LORD during a time of distress. The psalmist feels surrounded by trouble and turns to God for help, highlighting a common theme in the Psalms where individuals seek divine intervention in their struggles. This verse sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the psalmist's plight and the nature of God's response, as seen in the following verses of this psalm.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 121:1 | I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? |
| 2 | Psalm 122:1 | I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” |
| 3 | Psalm 123:1 | I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. |
| 4 | Psalm 124:1 | If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel now declare— |
| 5 | Psalm 125:1 | Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 25 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְ֭הוָה, Yah.wehgenerated
The name יְהוָה (Yahweh) signifies the self-existent God, often translated as 'the LORD'. It is a proper noun that reflects the eternal and unchanging nature of God, frequently appearing throughout the Old Testament. The parsing indicates it is a noun proper, emphasizing its significance as a personal name for God in the Jewish faith.
This name is deeply connected to God's covenant relationship with Israel and is used in various contexts to denote His authority and power. The psalmist's invocation of Yahweh in distress underscores a reliance on God's character and promises.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb קָ֝רָ֗אתִי (ka.Ra.ti, 'I called out') governs the main action of the verse, with a prepositional phrase indicating the direction of the cry. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's direct appeal to God in a time of need.
The sentence flows from the expression of distress to the action of crying out, culminating in the response from God, which is a common narrative arc in prayer.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew יְהוָה is rendered as κύριον (kurion), meaning 'Lord'. This choice maintains the reverence and authority of the divine name, aligning with the Hebrew text's intent.
The translation choice reflects a continuity in the understanding of God's nature across both Hebrew and Greek texts, emphasizing His role as the sovereign responder to human cries for help.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 120:1 shows the psalmist crying out to the LORD during a difficult time. He feels troubled and seeks God's help, expressing a deep reliance on divine intervention. This verse sets the tone for the psalm's exploration of distress and deliverance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The phrase indicates a time of trouble or anguish, where the psalmist feels overwhelmed and seeks help.
The psalmist calls on the name of the LORD, יְהוָה, indicating a personal relationship and reliance on God's power.
God's response signifies His attentiveness to the cries of His people, affirming His role as a protector and deliverer.
This verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms of seeking God in times of trouble, as seen in other psalms that express similar sentiments.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced distress, and how can I turn to God in those moments?
- How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's character as my deliverer?
- What does it mean to me that God answers when I call out to Him?
- How can I support others who are in distress, reflecting the compassion of God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers referenced this psalm to discuss reliance on God during times of trouble, illustrating its enduring significance in Christian thought.
Therefore it was none other than God whom David too implored for his deliverance: “When I was in trouble, I called on the Lord, and he heard me;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 120 →
When therefore a man has commenced thus to order his ascent; to speak more plainly, when a Christian has begun to think of spiritual amendment, he begins to suffer the tongues of adversaries.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 120 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 120:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn my distress I cried unto the Lord,.... Being at a distance from his own country, or, however, from the house of God; persecuted by men, under the lash of their tongues; reproached, abused, and
Read John Gill on Psalms 120 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIn my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. Psalms 120:1-7.-The first of the fifteen "Songs of degrees." The Septuagint, not probably, translate, 'Songs of the steps' [toon anabathmoon] -
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 120 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 120:1 « A Song of degrees. » In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.A Song of degrees] A most excellent song, Tremellius rendereth it; and so indeed this and the fourteen following are, both for the matter and for the form or manner of expression, which is wondrous short and sweet, as the very epigrams of the Holy Ghost himself, wherein each verse may well stand for an oracle. And in this sense Adam Hammahalah, or a man of degrees, is put for an eminent or excellent man, 1 Chronicles 17:17. Others understand it otherwise; wherein they have good leave to abound in their own sense; since sine periculo hic erratur, an error here is not dangerous. Ver. 1. In my distress I…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 120 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BiblePSALM CXX The psalmist, in great distress, calls on the Lord for deliverance from calumny and defamation, 1, 2; shows the punishment that awaits his persecutor, 3, 4; deplores the necessity of his residence with the ungodly, 5-7. NOTES ON PSALM CXX This Psalm, and all the rest that follow it, to the end of Psalm 134, fifteen in number, are called Psalms of Degrees; for thus the Hebrew title המעלות hammaaloth is generally translated, as coming from the root עלה alah, to ascend or mount upwards. Hence מעלות maaloth, steps or stairs for ascending, 1Kg 10:19-20; 2Kg 9:13. But as the word may be applied to elevation in general, hence some have thought that it may here signify the elevation of…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 120 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1. In my distress I called unto Jehovah, And he answered me. The Psalmist calls to mind past answers to prayer as an encouragement to fresh prayer in his present distress. Cp. Psalms 3:4. This is a simpler and more natural explanation of the verse than to take it as a confident anticipation of a favourable answer, I call … and he will surely answer me; or to suppose that the Psalmist is looking back upon trouble in the past, and that Psalms 120:2-4 are the prayer to which he refers in Psalms 120:1.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 120 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleIn my distress - In my suffering, as arising from slander, Psalms 120:2-3.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 120 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible1. Distress… cried… heard—This serial form—trouble, prayer, and answer—was common for David, and his faith in God touching the answer, gathered from past experience, was the ground of all his hope.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 120 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
In my distress I cried out to the Lord and he answered me.
Tyndale line
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he answered me.
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.
A song of degrees. I called vnto the Lord in my trouble, and hee heard me.
Strictly literal
In my trouble I called unto Jehovah, and he answered me.
A Song of the Ascents. Unto Jehovah in my distress I have called, And He answereth me.
A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. I have called to YHWH in my distress, || And He answers me.
“A song of the degrees.” Unto the Lord, when I was in distress, did I call, and he hath answered me.
In my distress I called out to Yahweh, and he answered me.
From the Latin
I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me.
Simplified
I called out to the Lord for help in all my troubles, and he answered me.
In my trouble my cry went up to the Lord, and he gave me an answer.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in content, with all six words matched in the Hebrew and Greek versions. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the text's meaning across these ancient witnesses.
אֶל־ יְ֭הוָה בַּצָּרָ֣תָה לִּ֑י קָ֝רָ֗אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 120:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word צָרָה (*tsarah*) is built from the root meaning tightness or trouble. It covers a range of meanings including dearth, distress, and adversary, as well as specifically referring to a rival wife. The entries note its use in contexts of adversity and anguish, with a specific reference to 1 Samuel 1:6.
בַּצָּרָה n.f. dearth, destitution
base
צָרָה 72 n.f. id. [r.dz.ac] straits, distress
base
[צָרָה] n.f. vexer, rival-wife;—sf. 1 S 1:6.
ref
H6869a בַּצָּרָה dearth, destitution H6869b צָרָה id. [6862b] H6869c צָרָה vexer, rival-wife
6869 tsarah tsaw-raw'
feminine of 6862; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble);
transitively, a female rival:--adversary, adversity,
affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06862
בַּצָּרָה (bats.tsa.rah) — dearth.
death, destitution
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — distress.
straits, distress, trouble
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — vexer.
vexer, rival wife
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute · suffixHRd/Ncfsa/Sd
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.
[עוּן] vb. dwell
base
עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond
Qal
answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
money meets all demands
specif. respond as a witness, testify
less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
Niph.
make answer
be answered
Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
base
עָנָה vb. sing
Qal sing, utter tunefully
Pi. sing sweetly of it
base
H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
. money meets all demands
. . specif. respond as a witness, testify
. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
. . make answer
. be answered
. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
H6030c עָנָה sing
6030 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,
i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to
begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,
announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),
(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,
hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing
(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.
See also 1042, 1043.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 01042
see HEBREW for 01043
עוּן (un) — to dwell.
(Qal) to dwell
עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.
1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to answer, respond to
1a2) to testify, respond as a witness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to make answer
1b2) to be answered, receive answer
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)
עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.
(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vqw3ms/Sp1bs