< Psalms 120 >
1 A Song of degrees. In my distress 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 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from 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 done to thee, thou false tongue?
What shall he give to you, you tongue that is crafty? What yet shall he give to you?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Arrows of warrior, sharpened, with glowing broom coals together.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, [that] I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
Woe is me that I sojourn in Meshech, that I live by the tents of Kedar.
6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
Already too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace.
7 I [am] for peace: but when I speak, they [are] for war.
I am for peace: but when I speak of it, they are for war.