Psalms 120

1 A Canticle in steps. When troubled, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me.

“A song of the degrees.” Unto the Lord, when I was in distress, did I call, and he hath answered me.

2 O Lord, free my soul from lips of iniquity and from the deceitful tongue.

O Lord, deliver my soul from lips of falsehood, and from a tongue of deceit.

3 What will be given to you, or what will be added to you, for a deceitful tongue?:

What will [God] give unto thee? or what will he add unto thee, thou tongue of deceit?

4 the sharp arrows of the powerful, along with the burning coals of desolation.

Sharpened arrows of the mighty, with coals of the broom-bush.

5 Woe to me, for my sojourning has been prolonged. I have lived with the inhabitants of Kedar.

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

6 My soul has long been a sojourner.

Too long for herself hath my soul dwelt with him that hateth peace.

7 With those who hated peace, I was peaceful. When I spoke to them, they fought against me without cause.

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