SAVE ME, O LORD
Key verse: 1
NIV
Psalm 120
A song of ascents.
1 I call on the Lord(A) in my distress,(B)
and he answers me.
2 Save me, Lord,
from lying lips(C)
and from deceitful tongues.(D)
3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides,
you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,(E)
with burning coals of the broom bush.
5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!(F)
6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Deliver Me, O Lord
A Song of (A)Ascents.120 In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
(B)and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 (C)A warrior's (D)sharp arrows,
with glowing (E)coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in (F)Meshech,
that I dwell among (G)the tents of (H)Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7 (I)I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
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Cross references
- Psalm 120:1 : Ex. 34:24; 1 Kgs. 12:27; Isa. 30:29
- Psalm 120:3 : [1 Sam. 3:17]
- Psalm 120:4 : Ps. 127:4; Jer. 50:9
- Psalm 120:4 : Ps. 45:5
- Psalm 120:4 : Ps. 140:10; Prov. 25:22
- Psalm 120:5 : Gen. 10:2; Ezek. 27:13; 38:2, 3; 39:1
- Psalm 120:5 : Song 1:5
- Psalm 120:5 : Gen. 25:13; Isa. 60:7; Jer. 49:28; Ezek. 27:21
- Psalm 120:7 : [Ps. 109:4]
120 In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you,
(B)and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 (C)A warrior's (D)sharp arrows,
with glowing (E)coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in (F)Meshech,
that I dwell among (G)the tents of (H)Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7 (I)I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!
Cross references
- Psalm 120:1 : Ex. 34:24; 1 Kgs. 12:27; Isa. 30:29
- Psalm 120:3 : [1 Sam. 3:17]
- Psalm 120:4 : Ps. 127:4; Jer. 50:9
- Psalm 120:4 : Ps. 45:5
- Psalm 120:4 : Ps. 140:10; Prov. 25:22
- Psalm 120:5 : Gen. 10:2; Ezek. 27:13; 38:2, 3; 39:1
- Psalm 120:5 : Song 1:5
- Psalm 120:5 : Gen. 25:13; Isa. 60:7; Jer. 49:28; Ezek. 27:21
- Psalm 120:7 : [Ps. 109:4]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Save me from deceitful tongues (1-4)
This psalm is the first of 15 songs of ascents sung by pilgrims going to Jerusalem. We are also pilgrims, traveling toward the heavenly Jerusalem. The psalmist has suffered in the world because of deceitful people who spread lies about him. This is no small matter: The 9th commandment is about false witnesses; Jesus called the devil a liar and a murderer. Lies and deceit can kill the soul. The psalmist seeks only God's help.
2. Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech (5-7)
Meshech is a distant country in what is now southern Russia; Kedar, a wandering tribe of hostile Bedouins. They represent a hostile, dog-eat-dog world. The psalmist had been a part of this world, but he made a decision to return to God. He longs for God's peace.
Prayer: Lord, I cannot overcome the world with my human skill. I cannot defend myself against slander and lies. I can only turn to you and call on your name.
One Word: Save me, O Lord
