Martin Luther on Psalms 120:2

Verse. 2. Deliuer my soule, o Lord, from lying lippes and from a deceitfull tongue.

This verse sheweth the matter or argument wherof Dauid entreateth in this psalme. He prayeth for the prosperous successe of the holy word of God and pure doctrine, against false and hereticall tongues. I sayd in the beginning, that this Psalme must not only be taken as an exāple for vs to follow, or a doctrine to teach vs what Dauid did in this daungerous case, or what we ought to doe in the like: but also is set forth to comfort and confirme vs against this great offence and stumbling blocke, that wheresoeuer the Gospell beginneth to shine, there Satan stirreth vp theeues and robbers, enemies of true doctrine to hinder the course thereof: and therefore when we see that the Anabaptistes and other Sectaries spring vppe at the preaching of the Gospell, we should not thinke it straunge, but rather it shoulde be to vs a meanes to stirre vs vp, thereby the more diligently to watch and shake of all securitie, forasmuch as we see that he which tempteth vs sleepeth not, and to fight against spirituall wickednes, against the which the children of God haue bene alwayes at continuall warre. Abel was persecuted of Cain, Isaac of Ismael, Iacob of Esau. Of this enmitie Satan is the author, which alwayes persecuteth God and his trueth, not onely with slaughter, but also with lying and falshoode. To knowe these thinges it is a singuler consolation in such daungerous cases, that we be not discouraged or dismayed, but may be strengthened and confirmed thereby: and moreouer it keepeth vs from securitie, which lying tongues aud deceitfull lippes will not lightly suffer a man to fall into. We must be ready therefore, not onely with the word of God, but also and especially with prayer, to fight against false doctrine and deceitful tongues, considering, as Dauid here sayth, that the Lord is our deliuerer, who only in this daunger can deliuer vs and destroy our aduersaries. For the continuall exercise of the word and prayer must goe togither.

Deliuer my soule: that is, deliuer me. It is a phrase and kinde of speech proper to the Hebrewes.