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

2 Lord, please save me from liars and cheats!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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