120 1 The prayer of David being vexed by the false reports of Saul’s flatterers. 5 And therefore he lamenteth his long abode among those infidels,  7 Who were given to all kinds of wickedness and contention.

A song of [a]degrees.

I called unto the Lord in my [b]trouble, and he heard me.

Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

What doth thy [c]deceitful tongue bring unto thee? or what doth it avail thee?

It is as the [d]sharp arrows of a mighty man, and as the coals of Juniper.

Woe is to me that I remain in [e]Meshech, and dwell in the tents of [f]Kedar.

My soul hath too long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

I seek [g]peace, and when I speak thereof, they are bent to war.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 120:1 That is, of lifting up the tune and rising in singing.
  2. Psalm 120:1 Albeit the children of God ought to rejoice when they suffer for righteous sake, yet it is a great grief to the flesh to hear evil for well doing.
  3. Psalm 120:3 He assured himself that God would turn their craft to their own destruction.
  4. Psalm 120:4 He showeth that there is nothing so sharp to pierce, nor so hot to set on fire, as a slanderous tongue.
  5. Psalm 120:5 These were people of Arabia, which came of Japheth, Gen. 10:2.
  6. Psalm 120:5 That is, of the Ishmaelites.
  7. Psalm 120:7 He declareth what he meaneth by Meshech, and Kedar, to wit, the Israelites which had degenerate from their godly fathers, and hated and contended against the faithful.

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.