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Psalm 120

A Song of [a]Ascents.

In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He answered me.

Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.

What shall be given to you? Or what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?—

Sharp arrows of a [mighty] warrior, with [glowing] coals of the broom tree!

Woe is me that I sojourn with Meshech, that I dwell beside the tents of Kedar [as if among notoriously barbarous people]!(A)

My life has too long had its dwelling with him who hates peace.

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

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:1 It is possible that the fifteen psalms known as the “Songs of Degrees or Ascents” were sung by the caravans of pilgrims going up to attend the annual feasts at Jerusalem. But it is equally possible that the title has reference to some peculiarity in connection with the music or the manner of using it.

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.