Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 120:7

"I am [for] peace: But when I speak, they are for war." — Psalms 120:7 (ASV)

I am for peace. —For the concise and significant phrase, “I peace,” see Note, Psalms 109:3. Both pronouns, I and they, are emphatic. No doubt these verses are intended to indicate the nature of the malicious speeches mentioned in Psalm 120:2-3.

We imagine Israel in particularly difficult political relations under the Persians, possibly very soon after the Return. They were trying to keep in favour and peace with the ruling powers but were continually drawn into trouble by the jealousy and bitterness of other subject tribes. (See Introduction.)