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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