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Psalm 120

A Man of Peace

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A song of the ascents.[a]

A Man of Peace

In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
Lord, save my life from lying lips.
Save me from deceitful tongues.
What will he give to you?
What more will he add to you, you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharpened arrows with hot coals of the broom tree.
Woe to me that I am an alien in Meshek,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
For too long my soul[b] has dwelt with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:1 This group of psalms (Psalms 120–134) is usually called the Songs of Ascent in English, but the Hebrew title is songs of the ascents. The ascents may include both going up to Jerusalem and going up to God. These psalms celebrate pilgrimage to Jerusalem, especially the return from captivity in Babylon.
  2. Psalm 120:6 In Hebrew my soul is a more intense, emotional way of saying I or me.

Psalm 120

A song of ascents.

I call on the Lord(A) in my distress,(B)
    and he answers me.
Save me, Lord,
    from lying lips(C)
    and from deceitful tongues.(D)

What will he do to you,
    and what more besides,
    you deceitful tongue?
He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,(E)
    with burning coals of the broom bush.

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
    that I live among the tents of Kedar!(F)
Too long have I lived
    among those who hate peace.
I am for peace;
    but when I speak, they are for war.