The first post for each song of ascent consists of my translation (typically) and a song that helps me remember the words of the Psalm.
Psalm 120
To Yahweh[1] in my distress
I called and He answered me.
Yahweh! Deliver me
from a lip of falsehood,
from a tongue of deceit.
What shall be given to you,
and what shall be added to you,
O tongue of deceit?
Arrows of a warrior sharpened with coals of the broom tree.
Woe is me!
–for I have sojourned in Meshech;
I have dwelled with the tents of Kedar.
Too long I have dwelled with haters of peace.
I am for peace!
But when I speak, they are for war.
Song
I found several songs of Psalm 120, but the most singable melody I came across is this one by Esther Mui. Bonus—it’s word for word,[2] which helps if you’re trying to memorize!
Notes
[1] “Yahweh” is the personal name of Israel’s God, as revealed to Moses in Exod. 3:14 (“I AM WHO I AM”). Most English Bibles translate it with “LORD,” which is distinct from “Lord.” Some older translations translate it “Jehovah.” Check here for a post on these names of God.
[2] New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
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