"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 120:5-7

In lamenting that he must ‘dwell in Meshek’ and ‘live among’ the people of ‘Kedar’ (v. 5)—both far from the Promised Land. In it, he is expressing the troublesome tensions of being compelled to live away from his true home among people who do not share his worldview: although he is committed to ‘peace’, they ‘hate peace’ and ‘are for war’ (vv. 6, 7).

Christians are ‘still in the world’ though ‘not of the world’ (John 17:11, 14). The resulting tension not only produces a sense of alienation, it often provokes hostility—like the slander the psalmist faced (vv. 1, 2). Jesus declared, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Matthew 5:9). But peacemakers do not always feel very ’blessed’; sometimes, they feel more like crying, ‘Woe to me’ (v. 5)! Nevertheless, despite his present ‘distress’ (vv. 1, 2), the psalmist remains confident of God’s ultimate deliverance (vv. 3, 4) and committed to ‘speak’ out ‘for peace’ (v. 7).

CLOSING PRAYER

Wherever I am, whatever I do, Lord Jesus, help me to stand for you, no matter what the opposition—in my family, my community, my country. If I stand alone, help me to know your pleasure and presence with me.

(edited from Encounter with God)