Psalm 120:1
New International Version
A song of ascents. I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

New Living Translation
I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

English Standard Version
In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

Berean Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.

King James Bible
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

New King James Version
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, And He heard me.

New American Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. I cried to the LORD in my trouble, And He answered me.

NASB 1995
A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.

NASB 1977
In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I called to Yahweh, And He answered me.

Amplified Bible
A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me.

Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me.”

American Standard Version
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cried unto Jehovah, And he answered me.

Contemporary English Version
When I am in trouble, I pray,

English Revised Version
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he answered me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A song for going up to worship.] When I was in trouble, I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me.

Good News Translation
When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD, and he answered me.

International Standard Version
I cried to the LORD in my distress, and he responded to me.

Majority Standard Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.

NET Bible
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried out to the LORD and he answered me.

New Heart English Bible
[A Song of Ascents.] In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.

World English Bible
A Song of Ascents. In my distress, I cried to Yahweh. He answered me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. I have called to YHWH in my distress, "" And He answers me.

Young's Literal Translation
A Song of the Ascents. Unto Jehovah in my distress I have called, And He answereth me.

Smith's Literal Translation
Song of ascensions. I called to Jehovah in straits to me, and he will answer me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Canticle in steps. When troubled, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me.

New American Bible
A song of ascents. The LORD answered me when I called in my distress:

New Revised Standard Version
In my distress I cry to the LORD, that he may answer me:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
IN my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To LORD JEHOVAH in my suffering I cried, and he answered me!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I called unto the LORD, And He answered me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Song of Degrees. In mine affliction I cried to the Lord, and he hearkened to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
In My Distress I Cried to the LORD
1A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me. 2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.…

Cross References
Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 118:5
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.

Jonah 2:2
saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.

2 Samuel 22:7
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried out to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears.

Lamentations 3:55-56
I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. / You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.”

Psalm 86:7
In the day of my distress I call on You, because You answer me.

Psalm 116:1-2
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy. / Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

Psalm 142:1-2
A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy. / I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

James 5:13
Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.

Romans 10:13
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Title - A Song of Degrees.

Psalm 121:1
A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Psalm 122:1
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Psalm 123:1
A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

my distress

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psalm 30:7,8
LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled…

Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

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Psalm 120
1. David prays against Doeg
3. Reproves his tongue
5. Complains of his necessary conversation with the wicked














In my distress
The phrase "In my distress" originates from the Hebrew word "tsarah," which conveys a sense of trouble, affliction, or adversity. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe times of severe hardship or crisis. Historically, the psalmist's distress could be linked to the many trials faced by the Israelites, such as oppression by enemies or personal tribulations. From a spiritual perspective, this phrase reminds believers that distress is a common human experience, yet it is also an opportunity to turn to God. It encourages Christians to seek divine help and comfort in times of trouble, trusting that God is attentive to their cries.

I cried
The Hebrew word for "I cried" is "qara," which means to call out, proclaim, or summon. This word suggests an earnest and urgent plea for help. In the context of the Psalms, crying out to God is an act of faith and dependence, acknowledging that He is the ultimate source of deliverance. This phrase emphasizes the importance of prayer and communication with God, especially during difficult times. It serves as a reminder that God desires His people to reach out to Him, and that He is always ready to listen and respond.

to the LORD
The term "LORD" in this verse is translated from the Hebrew "Yahweh," the personal name of God revealed to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with His people. By using "Yahweh," the psalmist underscores the personal and relational aspect of God, who is not distant or indifferent but intimately involved in the lives of His followers. This phrase reassures believers of God's faithfulness and His commitment to hear and answer their prayers.

and He answered me
The phrase "and He answered me" reflects the Hebrew word "anah," which means to respond or reply. This word conveys the idea of God actively engaging with the psalmist's plea. It highlights the responsiveness of God to the cries of His people, affirming that He is not only aware of their distress but also willing to intervene. This assurance of divine response is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, reinforcing the belief that God is both willing and able to provide help and deliverance in times of need. It inspires confidence in God's faithfulness and His ability to bring about resolution and peace.

Verse 1. - In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. The particular "distress' intended can only be conjectured. Some suppose it to be the Captivity itself, others the opposition offered by the Samaritans, Ammonites, and others to the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 4, 5.) and restoration of the wails of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:19, 20; Nehemiah 4:1-23; Nehemiah 6:2-14). But these guesses are scarcely of much value.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Song
שִׁ֗יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

of Ascents.
הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת (ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

In my distress
בַּצָּרָ֣תָה (baṣ·ṣā·rā·ṯāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6869: Tightness, a female rival

I cried
קָ֝רָ֗אתִי (qā·rā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and He answered me.
וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃ (way·ya·‘ă·nê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond


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OT Poetry: Psalm 120:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:176
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