Christian prayer
Psalm 120
Psalm 120 in its original language and with its meaning.
- 7 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת אֶל־יְ֭הוָה בַּצָּרָ֣תָה לִּ֑י קָ֝רָ֗אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
- 2
יְֽהוָ֗ה הַצִּ֣ילָה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִשְּׂפַת־שֶׁ֑קֶר מִלָּשׁ֥וֹן רְמִיָּֽה׃
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
- 3
מַה־יִּתֵּ֣ן לְ֭ךָ וּמַה־יֹּסִ֥יף לָ֗ךְ לָשׁ֥וֹן רְמִיָּֽה׃
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
- 4
חִצֵּ֣י גִבּ֣וֹר שְׁנוּנִ֑ים עִ֝֗ם גַּחֲלֵ֥י רְתָמִֽים׃
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
- 5
אֽוֹיָה־לִ֭י כִּי־גַ֣רְתִּי מֶ֑שֶׁךְ שָׁ֝כַ֗נְתִּי עִֽם־אָהֳלֵ֥י קֵדָֽר׃
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
- 6
רַ֭בַּת שָֽׁכְנָה־לָּ֣הּ נַפְשִׁ֑י עִ֝֗ם שׂוֹנֵ֥א שָׁלֽוֹם׃
My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
- 7
אֲֽנִי־שָׁ֭לוֹם וְכִ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר הֵ֝֗מָּה לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 120 when facing lies, hostility or conflict. In the tradition, it gives words to distress and to the desire for peace among people who resist it. It can be used in personal prayer or as part of communal psalm reading.
Where it comes from
Psalm 120 comes from the Bible and belongs to the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament. It is part of the collection known as the Songs of Ascents, associated with pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Its author is not named.
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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 120
How many verses does Psalm 120 have?
Psalm 120 has 7 verses.
What is Psalm 120 about?
The psalmist calls to God in distress, asks for deliverance from lying speech and laments living among people who reject peace.
How long does Psalm 120 take to recite?
Under a minute to recite, though you may choose to pause and reflect as you pray.
Who wrote Psalm 120, and in what language?
Its author is not named. The psalm was composed in Hebrew and is read by Christians in many translations.
