Psalms 120

1 A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. I called out to the Lord for help in all my troubles, and he answered me.

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

2 Lord, please save me from liars and cheats!

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

3 What will the Lord do to you, you liars? How will he punish you?

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

4 With the sharp arrows of a warrior and burning coals made from a broom tree.

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

5 I'm sorry for myself, because I live as a foreigner in Meshech, or among the tent-dwellers of Kedar.

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

6 I have lived for far too long among people who hate peace.

Too long have I dwelt With them that hate peace!

7 I want peace, but when I talk of peace, they want war.

I am for peace; yet, when I speak for it, They are for war.