This is the first of fifteen Psalms (Psalms 120-134) entitled "A Song of Degrees" (Psa 121:1 --literally, "A song for the degrees"), or ascents. It seems most probable they were designed for the use of the people when going up (compare Kg1 12:27-28) to Jerusalem on the festival occasions (Deu 16:16), three times a year. David appears as the author of four, Solomon of one (Psa 127:1), and the other ten are anonymous, probably composed after the captivity. In this Psalm the writer acknowledges God's mercy, prays for relief from a malicious foe, whose punishment he anticipates, and then repeats his complaint. (Psa 120:1-7) Slander and deceit charged on his foes implies his innocence. tongue--as in Psa 52:2, Psa 52:4.