The False Tongue

1 I cried to God in my distress,
And by the lord my prayer was heard;
O save me, Lord, from lying lips
And from the false, deceitful word.

2 What woe for falsehood can atone,
Or punish the deceitful tongue,
The tongue whose speech consumes like fire,
Whose words like deadly shafts are flung?

3 Alas for me, whose lot is cast
With those who find their joy in strife!
With those who hate the paths of peace
I long have dwelt and spent my life.

4 In though and act I am for peace,
Peace I pursue and ever seek;
But those about me are for strife,
Though I in love and kindness speak.

The Psalter: with responsive readings, 1912