“I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.”—Psalm 120 (NIV)

Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed with news reports? Sorting through fact and fiction, pouring over details provided by second or third hand accounts, considering the source for any biases. It can leave us in a state of uncertainty as to how to feel or what to think. If you can relate, then take comfort in the words of today’s psalm.

Verse 1 has the prescription and faith-filled hope to deal with distress. “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me” (emphasis added). It seems so simple, and yet how often is the Lord our first call in times of distress? For me, not nearly as often as He should be.

Verse 2 describes what the psalmist is asking for deliverance from: “lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” Yet, for as much as we tend to accuse others of possessing lying lips or deceitful tongues, we would do well to remember our own capability for possessing the same. Having to sort through so many layers of deception (self or otherwise) can leave the soul feeling weary and downtrodden. Best to take our distress to the Lord, for He is the only one incapable of being deceived, and He will guide us in all truth.

It’s hard to allow lies to linger, especially when those lies threaten our well-being, reputation, or identity or those of our loved ones. But we can be assured that the Lord will not leave lying tongues unpunished, as “He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with the burning coals of the broom brush” (verse 4). Arrows pierce and penetrate, causing layers of damage and trauma. Meanwhile, coals sear and burn causing pain that radiates from any point they contact. Neither necessarily causes immediate death, but rather inflict a mortal wound that is marked by excruciating pain. 

The psalm concludes with verses 5–7. As if lying and deceitful individuals were not bad enough, imagine an entire community that actually supports and rules in favor of those individuals. That’s what the psalmist is describing here. Before we draw any conclusions or assume any parallels to today’s day and age or the communities we find ourselves living in, take a look at the psalmist’s plea: “I am for peace.” Consider that for a moment. Despite living amongst those who do not seek the truth and in fact hate the truth, the psalmist calls out to God and prays for peace. 

I started by asking if you could relate to feeling overwhelmed by the news and potentially untrustworthy sources of information. With the upcoming elections, perhaps this sense of distress is heightened or amplified. It’s so easy to get drawn into arguments with insults and factional ways of thinking. Let us instead go to God with our distress and seek His peace over our lives and communities. As the people of God, let our lives be marked by our prayers against any form of deception (including self-deception) and our pursuit of peace.

Pause: What do you find yourself getting most distressed over?

Practice: Consider an alternative viewpoint to your current way of thinking. Listen to someone who doesn’t agree with you on everything, and do your best to not get offended.

Pray: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5 ESV). Lord, I confess I’m guilty of lying and practicing various forms of deception. Your Word reminds me to be on guard against self-deception and yet I so often find myself believing I’m always right. Please forgive me and correct me through godly wisdom and counsel. I seek peace with those around me and trust in Your justice. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.