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Psalm 120

Prayer for Deliverance from Slanderers

A Song of Ascents.

In my distress I cry to the Lord,
    that he may answer me:(A)
“Deliver me, O Lord,
    from lying lips,
    from a deceitful tongue.”

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

Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech,
    that I must live among the tents of Kedar.(C)
Too long have I had my dwelling
    among those who hate peace.
I am for peace,
    but when I speak,
    they are for war.

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