King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.
Complete Jewish Bible:
What he said sounded smoother than butter, but his heart was at war. His words seemed more soothing than oil, but in fact they were sharp swords.
Berean Standard Bible:
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
American Standard Version:
His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The words of his mouth{H6310} were smoother{H2505}{H8804)} than butter{H4260}, but war{H7128} was in his heart{H3820}: his words{H1697} were softer{H7401}{H8804)} than oil{H8081}, yet were they drawn swords{H6609}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 57:4
- My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Psalms 28:3
- Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief [is] in their hearts.
Proverbs 5:3
- For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil:
Proverbs 5:4
- But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
Psalms 12:2
- They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.
Psalms 64:3
- Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words:
Proverbs 26:28
- ¶ A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 55:21
Psalm 55:21 is part of a lament psalm traditionally attributed to David, expressing his deep distress over the betrayal by a close friend. The verse captures the theme of deception and the stark contrast between appearances and intentions. The individual in question speaks with words that are "smoother than butter," suggesting flattery, persuasiveness, and a façade of peace and friendship. However, beneath this charming exterior lies a heart filled with malice, akin to "war," indicating hostility and enmity. The betrayer's words, though "softer than oil," are likened to "drawn swords," revealing that their seemingly gentle speech is, in fact, weaponized, ready to inflict harm.
In the historical context of the ancient Near East, where political alliances and personal loyalties were crucial for survival and success, such treachery would have been particularly devastating. The verse reflects the cutthroat nature of court life and the importance of discerning true intentions from outward appearances. It serves as a poignant reminder of the potential for duplicity in human relationships and the need for wisdom and caution in trusting others.
The themes of betrayal and falsehood in Psalm 55:21 resonate with broader biblical teachings on integrity, the power of words, and the human tendency to conceal true motives. It calls to mind the teachings of Jesus, who warned against wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15) and emphasized the importance of truthfulness, as well as the apostle Paul's admonition to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). This verse, therefore, stands as a timeless reflection on the nature of deceit and the importance of discernment in interpersonal relationships.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6310
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּה
Transliteration: peh
Pronunciation: peh
Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. - Strong's Number: H2505
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלַק
Transliteration: châlaq
Pronunciation: khaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er). - Strong's Number: H4260
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַחֲמָאָה
Transliteration: machămâʼâh
Pronunciation: makh-am-aw-aw'
Description: a denominative from חֶמְאָה; something buttery (i.e. unctuous and pleasant), as (figuratively) flattery; [idiom] than butter. - Strong's Number: H7128
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קְרָב
Transliteration: qᵉrâb
Pronunciation: ker-awb'
Description: from קָרַב; hostile encounter; battle, war. - Strong's Number: H3820
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵב
Transliteration: lêb
Pronunciation: labe
Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H7401
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָכַךְ
Transliteration: râkak
Pronunciation: raw-kak'
Description: a primitive root; to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively; (be) faint(-hearted), mollify, (be, make) soft(-er), be tender. - Strong's Number: H8081
There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
Transliteration: shemen
Pronunciation: sheh'-men
Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. - Strong's Number: H6609
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פְּתִחָה
Transliteration: pᵉthichâh
Pronunciation: peth-ee-khaw'
Description: from פָּתַח; something opened, i.e. a drawn sword; drawn sword.