Psalm 120

A Prayer of One Far from Jerusalem

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1I took my troubles to the Lord;

I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.

2Rescue me, O Lord, from liars

and from all deceitful people.

3O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you?

How will he increase your punishment?

4You will be pierced with sharp arrows

and burned with glowing coals.

5How I suffer in far-off Meshech.

It pains me to live in distant Kedar.

6I am tired of living

among people who hate peace.

7I search for peace;

but when I speak of peace, they want war!

Psalm 121

The Lord Watches over You

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1I look up to the mountains—

does my help come from there?

2My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth!

3He will not let you stumble;

the one who watches over you will not slumber.

4Indeed, he who watches over Israel

never slumbers or sleeps.

5The Lord himself watches over you!

The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

6The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon at night.

7The Lord keeps you from all harm

and watches over your life.

8The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,

both now and forever.

Psalm 122

A Prayer for Peace in Jerusalem

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2And now here we are,

standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is a well-built city;

its seamless walls cannot be breached.

4All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—

make their pilgrimage here.

They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,

as the law requires of Israel.

5Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,

the thrones of the dynasty of David.

6Pray for peace in Jerusalem.

May all who love this city prosper.

7O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls

and prosperity in your palaces.

8For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,

“May you have peace.”

9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.