Psalm 120 1

Psalm 120:1 kjv

In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

Psalm 120:1 nkjv

A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, And He heard me.

Psalm 120:1 niv

A song of ascents. I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

Psalm 120:1 esv

In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

Psalm 120:1 nlt

I took my troubles to the LORD;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

Psalm 120 verses

Psalm 120 1 Meaning

Psalm 120:1 is a concise declaration of a deep personal experience of faith. It conveys that when faced with severe, constraining trouble, the psalmist fervently called out to the Lord, and the Lord, true to His nature, responded by intervening and delivering. This verse establishes a fundamental pattern in the life of a believer: affliction leading to desperate prayer, which in turn leads to divine help.

Psalm 120 1 Context

Psalm 120 is the first of fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134). These psalms were likely sung by pilgrims journeying uphill to Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles). The "distress" described in this psalm specifically arises from a hostile social environment, dwelling among deceitful and warlike people, symbolizing the challenges and conflicts a believer might face even while on a spiritual journey. This initial psalm sets the tone for the entire collection, highlighting the need for divine intervention in the midst of worldly pressures and conflicts, affirming God's readiness to answer the cries of His faithful pilgrims.

Psalm 120 1 Word analysis

• In my distress: (Hebrew: ba-tzar-ra-tah) The Hebrew word for "distress" (צָרָה, tsarah) implies a narrow, confined, or constricted place, reflecting a situation of acute difficulty, oppression, or anguish. It's a deeply personal trouble (note the "my"), encompassing emotional pain as well as external affliction. This distress often evokes a sense of being pressed in, with no apparent way out.

• I cried: (Hebrew: qa-ra-ti) The verb "cried out" (קָרָא, qara) signifies an urgent, fervent, and desperate appeal, not merely a quiet prayer. It's a loud, impassioned invocation, suggesting profound need and absolute dependence on the one being called. It highlights the psalmist's deep conviction that God is the only source of help.

• to the Lord,: (Hebrew: YHWH) This is the covenant name of God, YHWH (often rendered as LORD in English Bibles, to signify respect). It emphasizes God's personal, unchanging, and redemptive relationship with His people. Calling upon YHWH highlights an appeal to His faithfulness, power, and covenant promises. It signifies a relational and intentional prayer.

• and he answered me.: (Hebrew: vai-ya-a-ne-ni) The Hebrew verb "answered" (עָנָה, anah) implies more than just a vocal response; it signifies active intervention, attention, and practical help. The structure vay-ya'aneni (a Vayiqtol form) implies an immediate and effective past action—the answer was not delayed but a direct consequence of the cry. It confirms God's attentiveness and effectiveness in delivering His people.

• "In my distress I cried": This phrase highlights a fundamental human reaction to severe trouble – an instinctive or intentional turning to a higher power for aid. It points to prayer as the primary and proper response of a believer in times of extreme need, stemming from an acknowledgment of one's own limitations.

• "I cried to the Lord": This emphasizes the specific object of the psalmist's hope and trust. It's not a generic cry for help, but a targeted appeal to the sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel. It sets the direction of reliance solely on Him, distancing from human solutions or false deities.

• "and he answered me": This asserts the undeniable truth of God's responsiveness. It serves as a profound testimony of God's faithfulness and power, providing assurance to the one crying out and setting a precedent of hope for all who read this declaration. It signifies the success of the appeal and the tangible manifestation of divine care.

Psalm 120 1 Bonus section

This opening verse of the "Songs of Ascents" establishes the personal testimony of faith as the starting point for the pilgrim's journey. It moves beyond abstract theological statements to a lived reality: "I" cried, "He" answered "me." This immediate confirmation of God's responsiveness is crucial for anyone embarking on a difficult path. The "answer" of God is not merely vocal, but often practical and liberating, echoing throughout biblical history as God's characteristic response to the desperate prayers of His people. This dynamic – human vulnerability met by divine availability – forms a recurring theme in the psalms and underpins the hope of all who genuinely seek the Lord in their adversity.

Psalm 120 1 Commentary

Psalm 120:1 serves as a foundational declaration for the "Songs of Ascents." It encapsulates the essential posture of faith in the midst of trials: the desperate cry of a soul in genuine trouble (tsarah) directed exclusively towards the covenant Lord (YHWH), and the guaranteed reality of His powerful and direct answer (anah). This verse isn't merely a record of past experience; it sets an encouraging precedent for pilgrims. As they embark on their journey, physically to Jerusalem and metaphorically through life's challenges (symbolized by the hostile dwelling described later in the psalm), they are reminded that their God is a God who hears and responds immediately to genuine distress. It establishes God's faithfulness as the unchanging anchor in an uncertain world.