Psalms 120:5
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
Psalms 120:5
“Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!” Mesech and Kedar are distant lands associated with nomadic peoples and hostile locales. The psalmist laments estrangement from home and security, highlighting the tension of living among hostile environments while longing for peace and truth. The lament voice captures the disorientation and vulnerability of exile or oppression, a common motif in Psalms 120-122.
The verse situates the believer within a world of conflict and displacement, while expressing stubborn faith that God’s presence provides orientation even in distress. It acknowledges the reality of living between longing for home and experiencing foreign places.
If you feel displaced—whether geographically, culturally, or relationally—name the ache to God and seek practical ways to build belonging in your present context while staying faithful to your identity in Christ. Find community and routines that offer spiritual nourishment and a sense of “home” in God’s promises. For example, join a local prayer group or a small circle that can provide mutual support and accountability.
Cross-References: Genesis 23:4; Psalm 137:1-4; Jeremiah 29:4-7; Hebrews 11:9-10