1A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. 2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. 3What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue? 4Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree! 5Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 6Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace. 7I am in favor of peace; but when I speak, they want war.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The psalmist prays to God to deliver him from false and malicious tongues. (1-4) He complains of wicked neighbours. (5-7) 1-4 The psalmist was brought into great distress by a deceitful tongue. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. They forged false charges against him. In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. God can bridle their tongues. He obtained a gracious answer to this prayer. Surely sinners durst not act as they do, if they knew, and would be persuaded to think, what will be in the end thereof. The terrors of the Lord are his arrows; and his wrath is compared to burning coals of juniper, which have a fierce heat, and keep fire very long. This is the portion of the false tongue; for all that love and make a lie, shall have their portion in the lake that burns eternally. 5-7 It is very grievous to a good man, to be cast into, and kept in the company of the wicked, from whom he hopes to be for ever separated. See here the character of a good man; he is for living peaceably with all men. And let us follow David as he prefigured Christ; in our distress let us cry unto the Lord, and he will hear us. Let us follow after peace and holiness, striving to overcome evil with good.