Skip to main content
Psalmlog Logo
Read

Psalm 120:7

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

5Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace.
7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →
← Psalm 120:6
Notice

“I am for peace” is followed by war, capturing the strain of speaking among people who want the conflict to continue.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

When have your words for peace met a response that seemed bent on conflict?

Write on this

What helps you remain for peace when another person wants the conflict to continue?

Write on this
Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.The psalmist declares a commitment to peace, and Jesus pronounces a blessing on peacemakers.
Psalm 109:4In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.Both speakers describe hostility in response to goodwill: peace meets war, and love meets adversaries.
Psalm 34:14Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.Psalm 34 commands the pursuit of peace; Psalm 120 describes the opposition someone committed to peace may face.
Hebrews 12:14Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,Both passages speak of peace with others, with Hebrews urging its pursuit and the psalm describing resistance to it.
Psalm 35:20For they don’t speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.Both psalms describe people opposed to peace, with Psalm 35 naming deceitful words against quiet people.
Romans 12:18If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.Romans acknowledges limits to achieving peace with others; the psalm describes a speaker whose commitment to peace meets a desire for war.
Ephesians 2:14–17For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation,Peace is the shared concern: the psalmist declares a desire for it, while Ephesians describes peace through the breaking of a separating wall.
Psalm 140:2those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.Both psalms describe people intent on war, with Psalm 140 adding their plans for mischief and their gathering together.
1 Samuel 24:9–11David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?Both passages involve speech amid hostility: the psalmist speaks for peace, and David challenges the claim that he seeks Saul’s harm.
2 Samuel 20:19I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the LORD’s inheritance?”Both speakers identify themselves with peace while addressing people intent on war or destruction.
1 Samuel 26:2–4Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.The connection is limited to military threat: the psalm names war, while Samuel describes Saul taking three thousand men to seek David.
Genesis 13:9Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, …The link is limited: the psalm declares a desire for peace, while Genesis records a proposal to separate with a choice of land.
Where this verse fits

Work conflict. family conflict. injustice and anger.

What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Ask a trusted friend to help assess a tense conversation

relationaloncelight
Encouragement

Wanting peace does not give you control over another person’s response. The psalm ends with that conflict unresolved: the speaker is for peace, and the others are for war.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 120:7. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 120 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).