Psalms 120

1 A song for pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. I called out to the Lord for help in all my troubles, and he answered me.

A song of ascents. In my distress I called out to Yahweh, and he answered me.

2 Lord, please save me from liars and cheats!

Rescue my life, Yahweh, from those who lie with their lips and deceive with their tongues.

3 What will the Lord do to you, you liars? How will he punish you?

How will he punish you, and what more will he do to you, you who have a lying tongue?

4 With the sharp arrows of a warrior and burning coals made from a broom tree.

He will punish you with the arrows of a warrior sharpened over burning coals of the broom tree.

5 I'm sorry for myself, because I live as a foreigner in Meshech, or among the tent-dwellers of Kedar.

Woe is me because I temporarily live in Meshech; I lived previously among the tents of Kedar.

6 I have lived for far too long among people who hate peace.

For too long I have lived with those who hate peace.

7 I want peace, but when I talk of peace, they want war.

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