Psalm 120:7 kjv
I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalm 120:7 nkjv
I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war.
Psalm 120:7 niv
I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalm 120:7 esv
I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!
Psalm 120:7 nlt
I search for peace;
but when I speak of peace, they want war!
Psalm 120 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 34:14 | Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. | Exhortation to seek peace |
| Rom 12:18 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | Personal responsibility for peace |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Call to pursue peace and holiness |
| Matt 5:9 | "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." | Blessings on those who make peace |
| Jas 3:18 | And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | Righteousness fruit from peace-making |
| John 14:27 | Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. | Christ's unique gift of peace |
| John 16:33 | "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." | Anticipation of worldly trouble |
| Ps 109:4 | In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. | Love met with accusation |
| John 15:18 | "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you." | World's inherent hatred of Christ/followers |
| Ps 55:20-21 | He lays hands on those who are at peace with him; he violates his covenant… his words were smoother than oil, | Deceit and hidden war intent |
| Isa 57:21 | "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked." | Wickedness is incompatible with peace |
| Rom 3:17 | "the way of peace they have not known." | Unrighteous lack peace discernment |
| Gal 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality... enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, | Fruit of flesh includes strife |
| 1 Pet 2:23 | When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued | Enduring hostility patiently |
| 1 Pet 3:13-14 | Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness | Suffering for righteousness |
| Jer 20:8 | For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, "Violence and destruction!" | Prophetic speech met with hostility |
| Lam 3:58-59 | You have pleaded the cause of my soul, O Lord; you have redeemed my life. You have seen my wrong, O Lord; judge my cause. | Divine intervention in conflict |
| Eph 6:12 | For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities... | Spiritual nature of conflict |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | God's transcendent peace |
| Zec 8:16 | These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another... administer justice in your gates, | Call to truthful speech leading to peace |
| Ps 122:6 | Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you!" | Corporate desire for peace |
| 1 Thess 5:15 | See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. | Seeking good instead of revenge |
Psalm 120 verses
Psalm 120 7 Meaning
Psalm 120:7 expresses the profound anguish of a person committed to peace and harmony, who despite their sincere efforts and attempts at reconciliation, consistently faces unyielding hostility and a desire for conflict from their adversaries. It highlights the stark contrast between a peace-seeking heart and the belligerent nature of those who actively pursue contention.
Psalm 120 7 Context
Psalm 120 is the opening psalm of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), a collection traditionally believed to be sung by pilgrims as they "ascended" to Jerusalem for the major annual feasts. This particular psalm serves as a lament, expressing the deep distress of the psalmist who feels surrounded by treachery and hostile adversaries. The references to dwelling "among the tents of Kedar" and "with those who hate peace" (v. 5-6) vividly describe a condition of spiritual and perhaps literal exile among people alien to God's ways and inclined towards conflict rather than reconciliation. The psalmist, representative of God's faithful people, cries out from this painful situation, highlighting the suffering endured by those who pursue righteousness and harmony in a world bent on strife.
Psalm 120 7 Word analysis
I (אֲנִי - ani): A personal pronoun emphasizing the individual's commitment. It highlights a singular stand for peace amidst prevailing hostility, making the psalmist's isolation and unique position clear.
am for peace (שָׁלוֹם - shalom):
- Shalom in Hebrew encompasses more than just the absence of war; it denotes completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, harmony, and reconciliation. The psalmist isn't merely desiring peace, but actively embodies and advocates for this state of flourishing. This profound identification shows a nature aligned with God's character.
but (וְהֵמָּה - v'hemah): A strong adversative conjunction, "but," marks a sharp, agonizing contrast. It underscores the profound disconnect and fundamental opposition between the psalmist's peaceful disposition and the adversaries' war-like nature.
when I speak (כִּי אֲדַבֵּר - ki adaber):
- Ki: Here functioning as "when" or "though."
- Adaber: From the root dabar, meaning to speak, utter, converse, declare, command. This isn't just random noise; it implies making overtures, sharing truth, advocating for peace, or even attempting reconciliation through communication. The act of speaking about peace ironically provokes a war-like response.
they (הֵמָּה - hemah): Refers collectively to the antagonists, previously identified in the psalm as those with "deceitful tongues" and "who hate peace" (v. 2, 6). They represent a consistent source of conflict for the psalmist.
are for war (לַמִּלְחָמָֽה - lam-milchamah):
- Lam-: A preposition meaning "for" or "unto." It denotes purpose or direction.
- Milchamah: Refers to war, battle, fight, or conflict. This indicates their intrinsic orientation. Their very purpose or immediate response is aggressive and conflict-driven. Their nature is fundamentally antithetical to shalom.
Words-group analysis:
- "I am for peace; but they are for war": This powerful antithesis encapsulates the central conflict. It highlights a cosmic and spiritual battle where one party is aligned with the Creator's design for harmony (shalom), and the other is consumed by chaos and hostility (milchamah). It reflects the suffering of the righteous in a world actively opposing divine principles.
- "when I speak, they are for war": This phrase further emphasizes the irrationality and inherent malevolence of the adversaries. It demonstrates that their aggression is not a response to provocation but a deeply ingrained characteristic. The very act of seeking common ground or promoting understanding is met with an immediate escalation of hostility, underscoring the futility of negotiating peace with those whose agenda is perpetual strife.
Psalm 120 7 Bonus section
The lament expressed in Psalm 120:7 serves as a poignant preface to the entire "Songs of Ascents" collection. It sets the pilgrim's journey to Jerusalem not as one beginning in comfort, but as an exodus from profound distress and hostility, a spiritual ascent out of the "far country" of turmoil towards the secure peace of God's presence. The extreme contrast between the psalmist's peace-loving nature and the adversaries' belligerence highlights the spiritual alienation that is often the starting point for believers. This verse underscores the necessity of divine intervention and underscores why God's people constantly pray for God's justice and vindication against those who deliberately reject peace.
Psalm 120 7 Commentary
Psalm 120:7 lays bare the deep sorrow of a heart aligned with God's design for shalom but trapped among those whose orientation is purely antagonistic. The psalmist's personal declaration, "I am for peace," is not a passive wish but an active commitment to holistic well-being and reconciliation. This stance, characteristic of God's people, often clashes with a world entrenched in sin, whose response to genuine calls for peace is ironically met with escalation towards "war" – whether verbal assault, social antagonism, or overt conflict. This verse reveals the painful reality that not all hearts desire peace; some are inherently hostile, preferring contention over accord. It encapsulates the experience of the righteous enduring tribulation because of their allegiance to peace in a contentious world, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose very presence and message brought profound division due to the hearts of those set against Him. This also serves as a poignant reminder for believers to persevere in their pursuit of peace, despite facing unyielding opposition.