Psalm 120 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 120 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me:
Verse 2"Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue."
Verse 3What shall be given to you? And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?
Verse 4A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
Verse 5Woe is me, that I am an alien in Meshech, that I must live among the tents of Kedar.
Verse 6Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.
Verse 7I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
Devotion
How many lies, O Lord?
Isn’t it tragic that we think we are so modern? We think that we are better than those humans from many centuries ago … and then a lie crosses our lips … and then another. I dare not throw stones at politicians, governments or advertisers who lie. It is my tongue that is as sharp as a warrior’s arrow! It is my tongue that creates wars – in my family, where I work, in my church and in the world.
How many lies, O Lord?
Prayer
Creator of peace, I need a savior, one who will teach my tongue words of peace and not of war. Amen.