Psalm 120
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Psalm 120
A Cry for Truth and Peace
A song of ascents.
1 In my distress I called to the Lord,
and He answered me.(A)
2 “Lord, deliver me from lying lips
and a deceitful tongue.”(B)
3 What will He give you,
and what will He do to you,
you deceitful tongue?(C)
4 A warrior’s sharp arrows
with burning charcoal![a](D)
5 What misery that I have stayed in Meshech,[b](E)
that I have lived among the tents of Kedar![c](F)
6 I have lived too long
with those who hate peace.(G)
7 I am for peace; but when I speak,
they are for war.(H)
Footnotes
- Psalm 120:4 Lit with coals of the broom bush
- Psalm 120:5 = a people far to the north of Palestine
- Psalm 120:5 = a nomadic people of the desert to the southeast
Psalm 120
Common English Bible
Psalm 120
A pilgrimage song.[a]
120 I cried out to the Lord when I was in trouble
(and he answered me):
2 “Lord, deliver me[b] from lying lips
and a dishonest tongue!”
3 What more will be given to you,
what more will be done to you,
you dishonest tongue?
4 Just this:[c] a warrior’s sharpened arrows,
coupled with burning coals from a wood[d] fire!
5 Oh, I’m doomed
because I have been an immigrant in Meshech,
because I’ve made my home among Kedar’s tents.
6 I’ve lived far too long
with people who hate peace.
7 I’m for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war.
Footnotes
- Psalm 120:1 Or song of ascents or song of going up (that is, to Jerusalem); cf Ps 122:4. The heading is found in every psalm from Ps 120 to Ps 134.
- Psalm 120:2 Or my soul; also in 120:6
- Psalm 120:4 Heb lacks this.
- Psalm 120:4 Or the gorse or broom tree
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