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Psalm 120

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

I took my troubles to the Lord;
    I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.
Rescue me, O Lord, from liars
    and from all deceitful people.
O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you?
    How will he increase your punishment?
You will be pierced with sharp arrows
    and burned with glowing coals.

How I suffer in far-off Meshech.
    It pains me to live in distant Kedar.
I am tired of living
    among people who hate peace.
I search for peace;
    but when I speak of peace, they want war!

A Song of Ascents[a]

A Prayer for Deliverance

120 I cried to the Lord in my distress,
    and he responded to me.
Lord, deliver me[b] from lips that lie
    and tongues that deceive.”

What will be given to you,
    and what will be done to you,
        you treacherous tongue?
Like a[c] sharp arrow from a warrior,
    along with fiery coals from juniper trees!

How terrible for me,
    that I am an alien in Meshech,
        that I reside among the tents of Kedar!
I have resided too long
    with those who hate peace.
I am in favor of peace;
    but when I speak,
        they are in favor of war.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:1 Or Degrees; and so through Psalm 134
  2. Psalm 120:2 Lit. my soul
  3. Psalm 120:4 The Heb. lacks Like a