Psalms 120

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

“A psalm of steps.” In my distress I called upon the LORD, And he answered me.

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

O LORD! deliver me from lying lips, From the deceitful tongue!

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

What profit to thee, Or what advantage to thee, is the false tongue?

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

It is like the sharp arrows of the mighty man; Like coals of the juniper.

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

Alas for me, that I sojourn in Mesech, That I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

6 My soul has long been a sojourner.

Too long have I dwelt With them that hate 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; yet, when I speak for it, They are for war.