Psalms 120

1 In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me.

A song of ascents. In distress I cried to the Lord, and he answered me.

2 O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and a deceitful tongue.

‘Deliver me, Lord, from the lip that is false and the tongue that is crafty.’

3 What shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, to a deceitful tongue.

What shall he give to you, you tongue that is crafty? What yet shall he give to you?

4 The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste.

Arrows of warrior, sharpened, with glowing broom coals together.

5 Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of cedar:

Woe is me that I sojourn in Meshech, that I live by the tents of Kedar.

6 My soul hath been long a sojourner.

Already too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace.

7 With them that hate peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause.

I am for peace: but when I speak of it, they are for war.