Psa 120:6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

If you turn to Psalm 120 to 134, you will see these words at the beginning of each of those psalms, A Song of Degrees. The word “degrees” in Hebrew means “steps, ascent” (BDB Dictionary, e-sword). What is A Song of Degrees? The city of Jerusalem is set on a high hill. Jews travelling to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals traditionally sang these songs as they made their ascent to the city. Hence, they are also known as “Songs of Ascents” and “Pilgrim Psalms”. Psalm 120 is the first of these pilgrim psalms. In this psalm, the Psalmist complains to God about the liars in his neighbourhood. He prays to God to deliver him from those who are slandering him: “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue” (v.2). The Psalmist is tormented by their deceitful and hurtful words. He desires to live peaceably with them, but they do not want peace: “I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war” (v.7). Each time when the Psalmist makes a motion for peace when he tries to speak kindly to those slanderers, they instead go on a rampage with their words. Have you encountered a person who just loves to fight and quarrel? Do you have a quarrelsome neighbour? Is there a quarrelsome member in the church? Before we pinpoint our fingers on anyone, we have to first examine ourselves: Am I a man of peace? The Psalmist says: “I am for peace.” He is a man of peace. What does a peaceful man do? I believe these are some of the things he will do: 1. He will strive to live peaceable with all men (Romans 12:18). He will not do anything to provoke a quarrel. He would do anything that would help pacify others: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). 2. He will be tolerant (Ephesians 4:2). Living in peace is a way of life in which we respect and love each other in spite of our cultural, religious, and political differences. I read this news about a Chinese family that complained to the authorities about the smell that emitted whenever their Indian neighbour is cooking curry. I must say they are not being tolerant and understanding. Paul says: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). “If it be possible” implies sometimes it is impossible. Therefore, under such circumstances, what should we do? The second part of the verse says: “as much as lieth in you”. It means we are to do our best to “live peaceably with all men.” The ESV renders: “so far as it depends on you.” The choice is ours – it takes two to fight. Solomon says: “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling” (Proverbs 17:14). 3. He will make sacrifices. He does not care about winning, or about being right, or who started it first. He will win with love because he knows love will cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Living in peace is about living harmoniously with others. God commands us to “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19). We want peace. Unfortunately, we may have to live in places where some want war. But we will not do evil; we will still strive to be peaceful people: “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11, ESV).