Psalms 120

1 A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

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

2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from a deceitful tongue.

Lord, please save me from liars and cheats!

3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

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

4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

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

5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, [that] I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

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

6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

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

7 I [am for] peace: but when I speak, they [are] for war.

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