The speaker cries out to the Lord in times of trouble and asks for protection from deceitful and malicious individuals. They lament the consequences of having a deceitful tongue, which can bring harm and desolation. The speaker expresses their longing for peace, but notes that they have been forced to live among those who hate peace and have been met with hostility despite their own peaceful nature.
1 A Canticle in steps. When troubled, I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me 2 O Lord, free my soul from lips of iniquity and from the deceitful tongue 3 What will be given to you, or what will be added to you, for a deceitful tongue? 4 the sharp arrows of the powerful, along with the burning coals of desolation 5 Woe to me, for my sojourning has been prolonged. I have lived with the inhabitants of Kedar 6 My soul has long been a sojourner 7 With those who hated peace, I was peaceful. When I spoke to them, they fought against me without cause