Psalms 120

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

[A Song of Ascents.] In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.

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

Deliver my soul, LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

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

What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?

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

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

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

Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar.

6 My soul has long been a sojourner.

My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates 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.