Nnwom 120

1 Ɔsoroforɔ dwom. Mesu frɛ Awurade wɔ mʼahohiahia mu, na ɔgye me so.

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

2 Ao Awurade, gye me firi atorɔ ano ne nnaadaa tɛkrɛma nsam.

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

3 Ɛdeɛn na ɔbɛyɛ wo, na ɛdeɛn na ɛka ho bio, Ao nnaadaa tɛkrɛma?

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

4 Ɔde asraafoɔ bɛmma a ano yɛ nnam ne gyasramma bɛtwe wʼaso.

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

5 Nnome nka me sɛ mabɛsoɛ Mesek, na mete Kedar ntomadan mu!

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

6 Matena ase akyɛre dodo wɔ wɔn a wɔkyiri asomdwoeɛ mu.

Too long have I dwelt With them that hate peace!

7 Meyɛ asomdwoeɛ onipa; nanso sɛ mekasa a, ɛyɛ ɔko ma wɔn.

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