Psalm 120

A Cry for Truth and Peace

A song of ascents.

In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.(A)
Lord, rescue me from lying lips
and a deceitful tongue.”(B)

What will he give you,
and what will he do to you,
you deceitful tongue?(C)
A warrior’s sharp arrows
with burning charcoal![a](D)

What misery that I have stayed in Meshech,[b](E)
that I have lived among the tents of Kedar![c](F)
I have dwelt too long
with those who hate peace.(G)
I am for peace; but when I speak,
they are for war.(H)

Footnotes

  1. 120:4 Lit with coals of the broom bush
  2. 120:5 = a people far to the north of Palestine
  3. 120:5 = a nomadic people of the desert to the southeast

Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

A song of ascents.[a]

120 In my distress I called to Yahweh,
and he answered me.
“Deliver my life, O Yahweh, from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.”
What shall be given to you,[b]
and what more shall be done to you,
deceitful tongue?
The sharpened arrows of a warrior,
with burning charcoals from broom trees.
Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar.
Too long my soul has had its dwelling
near one who hates peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
they are for war.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 120:3 That is, by God against the false accuser