Immerse yourself in the heartfelt plea of Psalm 120 (ESV) through this moving poetic reading, the first of the "Songs of Ascents." Psalm 120, one of the Songs of Ascents, voices the pilgrim’s urgent cry for God’s rescue from deceitful speech and hostile surroundings. In his distress he calls upon the Lord to deliver him “from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue,” lamenting that he sojourns in Meshech and dwells among the tents of Kedar—places marked by strife rather than shalom. Though his heart longs for peace, he finds himself surrounded by those bent on war, yet he rests confidently on the promise that the Lord has heard and answered his plea.

Deliver Me, O Lord

A Song of 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,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
4 A warrior's sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!
5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!