Psalms 120

1 A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. I have called to YHWH in my distress, And He answers 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 O YHWH, deliver my soul from a lying lip, From a deceitful tongue!

Lord, please save me from liars and cheats!

3 What does He give to you? And what does He add to you? O deceitful tongue!

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

4 Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with coals of broom trees.

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

5 Woe to me, for I have inhabited Mesech, I have dwelt with 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 has dwelt too much with him who is hating peace.

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

7 I—peace, and when I speak they [are] for war!

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