Psalm 120

Common English Bible

Psalm 120

A pilgrimage song.^[a]

120 I cried out to the Lord when I was in trouble
    (and he answered me):
²“Lord, deliver me^[b] from lying lips
    and a dishonest tongue!”
³What more will be given to you,
    what more will be done to you,
    you dishonest tongue?
⁴Just this:^[c] a warrior’s sharpened arrows,
    coupled with burning coals from a wood^[d] fire!

⁵Oh, I’m doomed
    because I have been an immigrant in Meshech,
    because I’ve made my home among Kedar’s tents.
⁶I’ve lived far too long
    with people who hate peace.
⁷I’m for peace,
    but when I speak, they are for war.

Footnotes

Psalm 120:1 Or song of ascents or song of going up (that is, to Jerusalem); cf Ps 122:4. The heading is found in every psalm from Ps 120 to Ps 134.
Psalm 120:2 Or my soul; also in 120:6
Psalm 120:4 Heb lacks this.
Psalm 120:4 Or the gorse or broom tree