Psalm 120

A song of ascents.

I call on the Lord(A) in my distress,(B)
    and he answers me.
Save me, Lord,
    from lying lips(C)
    and from deceitful tongues.(D)

What will he do to you,
    and what more besides,
    you deceitful tongue?
He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,(E)
    with burning coals of the broom bush.

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
    that I live among the tents of Kedar!(F)
Too long have I lived
    among those who hate peace.
I am for peace;
    but when I speak, they are for war.

A song to sing as we climb.

Lord, please help me[a]

120 I cried to the Lord to help me in my trouble.
    He answered me.
I prayed, ‘Lord, keep me safe from people who tell lies.
    Save me from people who want to deceive me.’
How will God punish you,
    you people who deceive others?
He will punish you properly!
Yes, the sharp arrows of a soldier will hurt you.
    They will give you pain, like wood that burns with fire.
I am so sad! I live in Meshek as a stranger.
    I live among the people of Kedar.
I have lived too long with people that hate peace.
I want to live here in peace.
    But when I say this, they only want war!

Footnotes

  1. 120:1 Psalms 120-134 are called ‘Climbing Songs’. People probably sang them as they went towards God's Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was high up, so people had to walk up the hill, like they were climbing. When people sang these songs, they were preparing to worship God in his Temple.

Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes

A Song of Ascents.

120 In (A)my distress I cried to the Lord,
And He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you,
Or what shall be done to you,
You false tongue?
Sharp arrows of the [a]warrior,
With coals of the broom tree!

Woe is me, that I dwell in (B)Meshech,
(C)That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
My soul has dwelt too long
With one who hates peace.
I am for peace;
But when I speak, they are for war.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:4 mighty one

Deliver Me, O Lord

A Song of (A)Ascents.

120 In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
Deliver me, O Lord,
    from lying lips,
    from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you,
    (B)and what more shall be done to you,
    you deceitful tongue?
(C)A warrior's (D)sharp arrows,
    with glowing (E)coals of the broom tree!

Woe to me, that I sojourn in (F)Meshech,
    that I dwell among (G)the tents of (H)Kedar!
Too long have I had my dwelling
    among those who hate peace.
(I)I am for peace,
    but when I speak, they are for war!