Psalms 120

1 A Canticle in steps. When troubled, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me.

A song of ascents. In distress I cried to the Lord, and he answered me.

2 O Lord, free my soul from lips of iniquity and from the deceitful tongue.

‘Deliver me, Lord, from the lip that is false and the tongue that is crafty.’

3 What will be given to you, or what will be added to you, for a deceitful tongue?:

What shall he give to you, you tongue that is crafty? What yet shall he give to you?

4 the sharp arrows of the powerful, along with the burning coals of desolation.

Arrows of warrior, sharpened, with glowing broom coals together.

5 Woe to me, for my sojourning has been prolonged. I have lived with the inhabitants of Kedar.

Woe is me that I sojourn in Meshech, that I live by the tents of Kedar.

6 My soul has long been a sojourner.

Already too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace.

7 With those who hated peace, I was peaceful. When I spoke to them, they fought against me without cause.

I am for peace: but when I speak of it, they are for war.