120 In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Prayer for Deliverance from the Treacherous.

A Song of [a]Ascents.

120 (A)In my trouble I cried to the Lord,
And He answered me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from (B)lying lips,
From a (C)deceitful tongue.
What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,
You (D)deceitful tongue?
(E)Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With the burning (F)coals of the broom tree.

Woe is me, for I sojourn in (G)Meshech,
For I dwell among the (H)tents of (I)Kedar!
Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who (J)hate peace.
I (K)am for peace, but when I speak,
They are (L)for war.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:1 Ex 34:24; 1 Kin 12:27

120 In my troubles I pled with God to help me and he did!

Deliver me, O Lord, from liars. O lying tongue, what shall be your fate? You shall be pierced with sharp arrows and burned with glowing coals.[a]

5-6 My troubles pile high among these haters of the Lord, these men of Meshech and Kedar. I am tired of being here among these men who hate peace. I am for peace, but they are for war, and my voice goes unheeded in their councils.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:4 with glowing coals, literally, “with coals of the broom tree.”