Old Testament

Psalm 120
Psalm 120
A Man of Peace
A song of the ascents.[]
1In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Lord, save my life from lying lips.
Save me from deceitful tongues.
3What will he give to you?
What more will he add to you, you deceitful tongue?
4A warrior's sharpened arrows with hot coals of the broom tree.
5Woe to me that I am an alien in Meshek,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6For too long my soul[] has dwelt with those who hate peace.
7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

Footnotes

  • 120:0 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.
  • 120:6 In Hebrew my soul is a more intense, emotional way of saying I or me.