The Psalms

Psalms 120

Psalms, Book V · KJV

Each highlighted word includes its Hebrew or Aramaic term, transliteration, definition, and meaning in the verse. Hover to explore; click or tap to lock.

¹In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

²Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

³What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

⁴Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

⁵Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

⁶My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

⁷I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalms 120:1–7

Psalms 120:1

distress

Plain meaning

Distress, trouble, or adversity.

KJV word as shown: distress
Original Hebrew term: צָרָה
Transliteration: tsārāh

Hebrew definition

Distress, trouble, or adversity. The noun pictures a difficult or constrained situation. The account identifies the cause and any promised help. It does not by itself specify one future tribulation period or establish that every difficulty is the same event.

Meaning in this verse

In “In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me”, “distress” expresses distress, trouble, or adversity. The psalm's prayer, praise, or reflection establishes the contextual use. The complete poetic line supplies the relationship and comparison intended.

Dictionary forms are shown from the Hebrew and Aramaic text behind the KJV. Where English expresses a phrase or grammatical construction rather than one separate word, that is stated plainly. These definitions explain lexical meaning and contextual usage. Hebrew and Aramaic forms and morphology: Eep Talstra Centre for Bible and Computer, BHSA (CC BY-NC 4.0).

The text stays untouched.
Every explanation is kept clearly separate from Scripture.

Psalms 120

Psalms 120 · KJV