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A Prayer of Someone Far from Home

A psalm ·for going up to worship [of ascents; C perhaps sung while traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate an annual religious festival like Passover].

120 When I was in ·trouble [distress], I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
Lord, ·save [protect] me from ·liars [L false lips]
    and from ·those who plan evil [L a deceptive tongue].

·You who plan evil [L O deceptive tongue], what will ·God do [L he give] to you?
    ·How will he punish [L What will he add to] you?
·He will punish you with the sharp arrows of a warrior
    and with burning coals of wood [L The sharp arrows of a warrior and the burning coals of a broom tree; C the broom tree produces excellent charcoal].

·How terrible it is for [L Woe to] me to ·live in the land of [L sojourn/wander in] Meshech [C by the Black Sea in Asia Minor; Gen. 10:2; Ezek. 38:2],
    to ·live [dwell; reside] among the ·people [L tents] of Kedar [C in the Arabian desert; Is. 21:16–17; Jer. 2:10; 49:28; Ezek. 27:21].
I have ·lived [dwelt; resided] too long
    with people who hate peace.
When I talk peace,
    they want war.

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.