Psalms
Chapter 120
A short psalm from someone worn down by people who lie about him. He calls out to God for rescue and asks what punishment fits a lying tongue. He says he has lived too long among people who hate peace, and that when he speaks for peace, they answer with war. It is the first of the Songs of Ascents, sung by travelers going up to Jerusalem.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
1When I was in trouble, I called out to the LORD, and he answered me.
2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
2LORD, save my life from lips that lie and from a tongue that tricks people.
3What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
3You lying tongue, what will God give you? What will he do to you?
4Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
4He will send a soldier's sharp arrows, along with burning coals from the broom bush.
The KJV says "coals of juniper." The plant is the broom bush, a desert shrub whose wood burns very hot and stays hot a long time.
5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
5How miserable I am! I live as a stranger in Meshech. I camp among the tents of Kedar.
Meshech was far to the north and Kedar was a desert tribe to the east, so a person could not really live in both. The writer means he feels surrounded by rough strangers, far from home.
6My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
6I have lived far too long among people who hate peace.
7I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
7I want peace. But when I speak, they want war.
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