Psalms 120

Psalms 120:1

THe Title [of degrees] the Italian of Maaot, that is to say, of goings up or of movings. This title which is set before these fifteene following Psalmes is of very doubtfull signification; Yet the likeliest opinion, is that these Psalmes were either newly penned, or chosen out from amongst the old ones, to bee sung by the people in their return from Babylon, in their severall dayes journeyes or stages as they travelled, either one, or more, or all at every removing: And to this subject they may all be referred either in part or in whole.

Psalms 120:3

What shall be given] he turneth his speech to the head or chiese of his enemies, as if he should say, what profit shalt thou reap thereby? Peradventure the people would fore-arme themselves by Davids ancient example, when he was persecuted by scoffes and slanders, against the like injuries which were offered unto them at their return from Babylon, Ezekiel 4:6. Neh.2. 19. and 4. 2. 3.

Psalms 120:4

Of Juniper] which being a fat kind of Wood, makes a very scorching fire, and quick coales.

Psalms 120:5

Woe is me] it seemeth that these words were first spoken by David in his flight amongst the Philistines, and other strange Nations; and were afterward applied to the peoples banishment. [Mesech] Mesech is Moscovie, and Kedar is Arabia; not that David ever was in those countryes; but hee called those Nations so amongst which he was, by reason of their fierce barbarousnesse. And this part of this Psalme is it which may most properly bee referred to the returne from Babylon.