Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar! New Living Translation How I suffer in far-off Meshech. It pains me to live in distant Kedar. English Standard Version Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Berean Standard Bible Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! King James Bible Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! New King James Version Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar! New American Standard Bible Woe to me, for I reside in Meshech, For I have settled among the tents of Kedar! NASB 1995 Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech, For I dwell among the tents of Kedar! NASB 1977 Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech, For I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Legacy Standard Bible Woe is me, for I sojourn in Meshech, For I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Amplified Bible Woe to me, for I sojourn in Meshech, and I live among the tents of Kedar [among hostile people]! Christian Standard Bible What misery that I have stayed in Meshech, that I have lived among the tents of Kedar! Holman Christian Standard Bible What misery that I have stayed in Meshech, that I have lived among the tents of Kedar! American Standard Version Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Contemporary English Version But I must live as a foreigner among the people of Meshech and in the tents of Kedar. English Revised Version Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! GOD'S WORD® Translation How horrible it is to live as a foreigner in Meshech or to stay in the tents of Kedar. Good News Translation Living among you is as bad as living in Meshech or among the people of Kedar. International Standard Version How terrible for me, that I am an alien in Meshech, that I reside among the tents of Kedar! NET Bible How miserable I am! For I have lived temporarily in Meshech; I have resided among the tents of Kedar. New Heart English Bible Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar. Webster's Bible Translation Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWoe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! World English Bible Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWoe to me, for I have inhabited Mesech, "" I have dwelt with tents of Kedar. Young's Literal Translation Woe to me, for I have inhabited Mesech, I have dwelt with tents of Kedar. Smith's Literal Translation Wo! to me that I sojourned in Mesech; I dwelt with the tents of Kedar. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWoe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of cedar: Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Alas, I am a foreigner in Meshech, I live among the tents of Kedar! New Revised Standard Version Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech, that I must live among the tents of Kedar. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWoe is me, that my sojourn is prolonged, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Woe to me, for my pilgrimage is long and I have dwelt in a tent of Qedar! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Woe is me, that I sojourn with Meshech, That I dwell beside the tents of Kedar! Brenton Septuagint Translation Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged; I have tabernacled among the tents of Kedar. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context In My Distress I Cried to the LORD…4Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree! 5Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! 6Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace.… Cross References Jeremiah 9:2 If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people. Genesis 19:30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains—for he was afraid to stay in Zoar—where they lived in a cave. Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise. Isaiah 21:16-17 For this is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a hired worker would count it, all the glory of Kedar will be gone. / The remaining archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few.” For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken. 1 Samuel 25:10 But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. 2 Kings 17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes. 2 Kings 18:11 The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes. Isaiah 33:19 You will no longer see the insolent, a people whose speech is unintelligible, who stammer in a language you cannot understand. Hosea 9:3 They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria. Amos 1:9 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood. Matthew 11:21-24 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ... Luke 10:13-15 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! Acts 2:9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Acts 7:2-4 And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ / So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living. Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. Treasury of Scripture Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! woe Jeremiah 9:2,3,6 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men… Jeremiah 15:10 Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me. Micah 7:1,2 Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit… Mesech Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. Ezekiel 27:13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market. the tents Genesis 25:13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 1 Samuel 25:1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. Song of Solomon 1:5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Jump to Previous Dwell Dwelt Inhabited Kedar Live Meshech Sojourn Sorrow Strange Tents Wo WoeJump to Next Dwell Dwelt Inhabited Kedar Live Meshech Sojourn Sorrow Strange Tents Wo WoePsalm 120 1. David prays against Doeg3. Reproves his tongue 5. Complains of his necessary conversation with the wicked Woe to me This expression of lament sets the tone for the psalmist's distress. It reflects a deep sense of sorrow and dissatisfaction with their current circumstances. The use of "woe" is common in biblical literature to express grief or a cry for help, often seen in prophetic writings (e.g., Isaiah 6:5). It indicates a longing for deliverance and a recognition of the fallen state of the world. that I dwell in Meshech that I live among the tents of Kedar! Persons / Places / Events 1. MeshechA region often associated with distant lands and peoples, possibly located in modern-day Turkey or Russia. In biblical times, it was known for its warrior-like inhabitants and was considered a remote and foreign place. 2. Kedar A nomadic tribe descended from Ishmael, known for their tents and often associated with the Arabian desert. They were known for their hostility and were considered a symbol of living among those who do not know God. 3. Psalmist The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be David, expressing a sense of alienation and distress from living among those who do not share his faith or values. Teaching Points Living as Strangers in the WorldJust as the psalmist felt out of place in Meshech and Kedar, Christians today may feel like strangers in a world that does not share their values. This sense of alienation can remind us of our true citizenship in heaven. The Challenge of Cultural Differences The psalmist's lament highlights the difficulty of living among those with different beliefs and practices. Christians are called to be in the world but not of it, navigating cultural differences with grace and truth. Seeking God's Peace Amidst Hostility The psalmist's cry for help is a reminder to seek God's peace and guidance when surrounded by hostility or misunderstanding. Prayer and reliance on God are crucial in such times. The Importance of Community Feeling isolated like the psalmist can drive us to seek fellowship with other believers. The church community provides support and encouragement in a world that often feels foreign. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 120Psalm 120:5 – Why does the psalmist mention living in Meshek and among Kedar if there is limited historical or geographical data to support this claim? Who was Kedar in the Bible? Song of Solomon 1:5–6 emphasizes the speaker’s dark complexion and social status. Does this suggest cultural or ethnic inconsistencies with known historical contexts? Who was Kedar in the Bible?(5) Mesech.--This name is generally identified with Moschi, mentioned by Herodotus (iii. 94), a tribe on the borders of Colchis and Armenia. It appears again in the prophet Ezekiel 27:13; Ezekiel 38:3; Ezekiel 39:1. The only reason for suspecting the accuracy of this identification is the remoteness from Kedar, who were a nomad tribe of Arabia. (See Genesis 25:13; Song of Solomon 1:5.) But in the absence of any other indication of the motive for the mention of these tribes here, this very remoteness affords a sufficiently plausible one; or they may be types of savage life, selected the one from the north, and the other from the south, as poetry dictated. It is quite possible that the circumstances amid which the poet wrote made it necessary for him to veil in this way his allusion to powerful tribes, from whose violence the nation was suffering. At all events, the two concluding verses leave no doubt that some troubled state of affairs, in which the choice of courses was not easy, and affecting the whole nation. not an individual, is here presented.Verse 5. - Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech. This is scarcely to be understood literally. Israel never "sojourned in Mesech," i.e. among the Moschi, who dwelt in Cappadocia, nor dwelt among the tents of Kedar, a people of Northern Arabia. The writer means that he dwells among hostile and barbarous people, who are to him as Kedar and Mesech. Possibly the Samaritans and Ammonites are intended. That I dwell in the tents of Kedar; rather, among the tents (see the Revised Version). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Woeאֽוֹיָה־ (’ō·w·yāh-) Interjection Strong's 190: Lamentation, Oh! to me לִ֭י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew that כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I dwell גַ֣רְתִּי (ḡar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility in Meshech, מֶ֑שֶׁךְ (me·šeḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4902: Meshech -- a son of Japheth, also his descendants and their land that I live שָׁ֝כַ֗נְתִּי (ḵan·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell among עִֽם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with the tents אָהֳלֵ֥י (’ā·ho·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 168: A tent of Kedar! קֵדָֽר׃ (qê·ḏār) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6938: Kedar -- perhaps 'swarthy', a son of Ishmael, also his desc Links Psalm 120:5 NIVPsalm 120:5 NLT Psalm 120:5 ESV Psalm 120:5 NASB Psalm 120:5 KJV Psalm 120:5 BibleApps.com Psalm 120:5 Biblia Paralela Psalm 120:5 Chinese Bible Psalm 120:5 French Bible Psalm 120:5 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 120:5 Woe is me that I live (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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