1 PSALM 120 Prayer for Breaking Away from the Treacherous. A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried to the L,And He answered me.
2 Rescue my soul, O L, from lying lips,And from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you,You deceitful tongue?—
4 Sharp arrows of the warrior,With theThe ancient rabbis explained that coals from a broom tree are unusual in that they continue burning on the inside even after they are extinguished on the outside. They compared this to a person who listens to slander: even if you try to persuade him otherwise and he seems to be convinced, he is still “burning” on the inside, i.e. still unconvinced.burning coals of the broom tree.
5 Woe to me, for I sojourn in Meshech,and I live among the tents of Kedar [among hostile people]!
6 Too long my soul has had its dwellingWith those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace, but when I speak,They are for war.