John Calvin Commentary Psalms 120:6

"My soul hath long had her dwelling With him that hateth peace." — Psalms 120:6 (ASV)

My soul hath long dwelt with him who hateth peace. The Psalmist now shows plainly, and, so to speak, points directly to those whom he had previously alluded to by the terms Mesech and Kedar, namely, the treacherous Israelites, who had degenerated from the holy fathers and who wore the mask of Israelites rather than being the true seed of Israel.

He calls them haters of peace because they willfully, and with deliberate malice, set themselves to wage war against the good and inoffensive. He adds further that his heart was strongly inclined to seek peace, or rather, that he was completely devoted to it and had tried every means to win their favor, but that the implacable cruelty of their nature invariably impelled them to harm him.

When he says, I peace, it is an abrupt, yet not obscure expression, implying that he had not done them any injury or wrong that could provoke their hatred, as he had always maintained peace on his part. He even proceeds further, asserting that when he saw them inflamed with resentment against him, he endeavored to pacify them and to bring them to a good understanding; for to speak here is equivalent to offering peace terms in a friendly manner, or negotiating reconciliation.

From this, it is even more apparent how savage and brutal was the pride of David’s enemies, since they disdained even to speak with him—to speak with a man who had earned their gratitude and who had never harmed them in any way. His example teaches us that it is not enough for the faithful to refrain from harming others: they must, moreover, strive to win them over with gentleness and to incline them toward goodwill.

If their moderation and kindness are rejected, they should wait patiently until God finally shows himself from heaven as their protector. However, let us remember that if God does not immediately stretch forth his hand on our behalf, it is our duty to endure the weariness caused by delay, like David, whom we find in this Psalm giving thanks to God for his deliverance, while at the same time, as if worn out with the weariness of waiting for it, he laments the long oppression he had suffered from his enemies.