PSAL. CXX.
The Prophet prayeth against, and reproveth the evill tongue: 5 and complaineth of his necessary conversation with the wicked.
A song of degrees. [unspec 1]
VNto Iehovah, in my distressednesse, I cried, and he answered me. Ieho∣vah, [unspec 2] deliver thou my soule from the lip of falshood, from the tongue of deceit.
What shall it give thee, and what shall it [unspec 3] [unspec 4] adde to thee, tongue of deceit. Sharpe ar∣rowes of a mightie one, with coales of Iuni∣per. Woe is me that I sojourne with Me∣shec, [unspec 5] [unspec 6] dwell with the tents of Kedar. My soule it hath much dwelt with him that ha∣teth peace. I am for peace, and when I speak, [unspec 7] they are for warre.
OF degrees] or, of ascensions, of heights: (Hebr. [unspec 1] ham-mahaloth,) that is, a Psalme to be sung with an high voice; as the Levites are said to praise God with a great voice on high, (Hebr. le-mahlah,) 2 Chron. 20. 19. Or, this title noteth the excellencie of the song, for short, grave and pithy sentences; as Adam ham-mahalah, is a man of eminencie, (or of high degree,) 1 Chron. 17. 17. Sundry other waies is this title understood, as of the staires that went up to the house of the Lord, whereon the singers should stand; and this the Chaldee favoureth: al∣so of the comming up from Babylon, (called maha∣lah, an a scension, Ezr. 7. 9,) &c. Fifteene Psalmes together have this title prefixed. distressed∣nesse] that is, sore distresse: the Hebrew addeth a letter to increase the signification; so, helpfulnesse, for full helpe, Psal. 44. 27. cried] in Chaldee, prayed, and he received my prayer.