Sunday, November 1, 2015 pm
STUDIES IN PSALMS
Deliver me from Lying Lips
Psalm 120
As
we continue our monthly study of the psalms, we now begin another
section of psalms. This
section is described as these psalms of ascents.
This is a set of 15 (120-134) psalms believed to have been sung
by Jews as they journeyed toward Jerusalem for observance of the various
feasts. There are some who
put an order to these psalms, beginning with a psalm of trouble (or
sorrow) and culminating in blessings from the LORD (Psa. 134).
In various versions the
superscription reads, “A song of degrees” (KJV) or “A song for pilgrims”
(NLT)
Tonight, we begin our study of these psalms. It is a psalm that is
supposed to have been written by (or about) a man who as he leaves his
home toward Jerusalem for a feast, he is troubled by a neighbor that has
slandered him. He turns to
the LORD for deliverance.
In this psalm, we learn how to deal with one who maligns us.
a.
In my distress I turned
to the LORD –
When we are sorrowful and distressed we ought to pray – James 5:13, 1
Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30.
BUT, let us be reminded that such should not be the only time we
pray.
b.
He heard me – a frequent
observation in the psalms – Psalm 3:4, 34:4, 40:1, 66:19, etc.
God hears the prayers of His saints – 1 John 5:14-15, Luke 18:6-7 – God
can answer our prayers though at times He bears long with us.
c.
Deliver my soul from
lying lips and the deceitful tongue
i.
The danger of the tongue
– James 3:1-12 – like a wildfire (vs. 5-6)
ii.
The tongue can cause
distress – have you ever been lied or gossiped about?
Have you ever been the subject of ridicule and hurtful
accusations? It hurts!
Words can be very harmful and often the tool of the enemy.
Much damage has been done by hateful and deceitful words.
iii.
The tongue and deceit –
the Bible condemns lies, slander, gossip, angry and malicious words,
cursings, etc.
As Christians, such language needs to be put away- Ephesians 4:25-27,
31-32,
iv.
Pray for deliverance –
FROM those who lie against you – put it in His hands.
v.
Pray from deliverance
FROM engaging in lying lips and deceit.
a.
The fate of the false
tongue is described in vs. 3-4 – What is it?
b.
Unless one repents, the
fate is eternal condemnation.
Luke 13:3, 5, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
c.
Sharp arrows and coals
of the broom tree – descriptions of the consequences of the liar.
i.
Sharp arrows pierce the
soul – they hurt deeply.
Jeremiah 9:8 describes the ungodly saying, “Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks
peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in
wait.”
Proverbs 25:18, A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is
like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
ii.
The coals of the broom
tree (or juniper – KJV, ESV) is said to be a fire kindled that is quick,
hot and burns long. James
3:6 describes the course of the fire of the tongue as originating in
hell (Gehenna).
iii.
Such things can be
caused by one with a false tongue
d.
What is the reward of
the blasphemer, liar, slanderer and gossip?
In our text, such can also be the reward of the whose tongue is not
controlled.
i.
Rev. 21:8 – tells us
that all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone.
ii.
Hell is described as a
place of torments in terms of fire – Mark 9:44ff,
iii.
Often times, his sharp
arrows and burning are turned against him.
When the liar is exposed, he loses credibility, friends, etc.
a.
Dwelling in Meschech and
Kedar – (as
if?) living among foreigners.
These were towns of the nomads surrounding Israel.
Perhaps the home of the psalmist was in their region or nearby
and thus it was the ungodly that were afflicting him
OR some see this as an analogy where the treatment of his
neighbor is as harsh as if he were among these barbaric tribes.
b.
My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace
– he wants a change!
i.
An enemy, who constantly
attacks you, even with words, becomes wearisome.
ii.
Sometimes our
environment can be frustrating, and for whatever reason we must persist,
but in such circumstances we must be careful to not surrender our
integrity and give in to sinful conduct or retaliate in kind.
Continue to live by the golden rule (Matthew 7:12).
Consider Romans 12:17-21 – overcome their evil with God.
NOTICE in this text what happens when you act rightly – you heap
coals of fire on his head.
I am reminded of righteous Lot who was tormented while living in Sodom
(2 Peter 2:7). He had made a
decision to live there and perhaps he was confined.
But even in that, it cost him dearly as he lost most his
children, and his wife’s love for the people resulted in her being
turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19)
iii.
HOWEVER, sometimes, we
need to move on. Wipe the
dust off our feet and seek a better environment.
c.
I am for peace
– even though these enemies are for war.
i.
We are here reminded
that we should not be a part of the problem.
How often do we see circumstances grow out of control because
both parties (whether one is right or not doesn’t matter) escalate and
retaliate.
ii.
We need to pursue peace
- Romans 12:18 – as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 14:19, in dealing with brethren, “Therefore
let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which
one may edify another.”
Hebrews 12:14, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will
see the Lord:” Friends,
your soul depends on you seeking peace.
Eph. 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for
necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
James 3:18, “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
“
Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. “
We
cannot control the way others behave themselves, but we can control how
we behave – including how we respond.
Let us learn from this psalm turn to God when we face such
dilemmas. Think
about it.