Psalms 116:11

KJV

I said in my haste, All men [are] liars.

KJV (with Strong's)

I said {H559} in my haste {H2648}, All men {H120} are liars {H3576}.

Complete Jewish Bible

even when, in my panic, I declare, "Everything human is deceptive."

Berean Standard Bible

In my alarm I said, “All men are liars!”

American Standard Version

I said in my haste, All men are liars.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 116:11 presents a raw, honest confession from the psalmist, uttered in a moment of profound distress and disillusionment. This verse reveals a sweeping, emotionally charged declaration that "All men are liars," born from a place of perceived betrayal or failure of human support. It stands as a poignant testament to the human tendency towards hasty, generalized judgments when under duress, while implicitly setting the stage for the psalm's ultimate affirmation of God's unwavering faithfulness in stark contrast to human fallibility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 116 is a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, where the psalmist recounts his miraculous deliverance from a life-threatening situation. The preceding verses vividly describe his descent into the throes of death, with the "cords of death" encompassing him and the "snares of Sheol" seizing him, prompting his desperate cry to the Lord for rescue (e.g., [Psalms 116:3-4](/psalms/116-3-4 "Psalms 116:3-4 - Deliverance from Death's Grip")). Verse 11, "I said in my haste, All men are liars," functions as a candid and vulnerable admission of a thought or declaration made during the peak of his affliction, highlighting the intense emotional and psychological turmoil he endured before God's intervention. It serves as a dark backdrop against which the subsequent expressions of profound gratitude and renewed commitment to God's service (e.g., [Psalms 116:12-19](/psalms/116-12-19 "Psalms 116:12-19 - Vows of Thanksgiving and Praise")) shine even brighter, emphasizing the dramatic shift from despair and human-centered disappointment to profound trust in divine faithfulness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalms often reflect the personal experiences of individuals within the covenant community of Israel, expressing a full range of human emotions from exultant joy to deep lament. In ancient Israelite society, reliance on human promises, alliances, and support systems was common, yet also fraught with the potential for disappointment and betrayal. The cultural expectation of truthfulness was high, as lying was explicitly condemned in the Mosaic Law, notably in the Ninth Commandment against bearing false witness (e.g., [Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment")). The psalmist's outburst, therefore, likely stems from a deeply personal experience of feeling let down or deceived by those he might have depended upon, perhaps even in a legal or social context where false witnesses or failed promises could have dire consequences. This personal anguish is then universalized in his hasty declaration, reflecting a common human experience of disillusionment when trust is broken.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 116 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human fallibility and unreliability**. The psalmist's declaration, though born of haste, points to the pervasive reality of human sinfulness and the inability of people to consistently deliver on promises or provide ultimate solace, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, such as in the New Testament's assertion that "every human being is a liar" in comparison to God's truth (e.g., [Romans 3:4](/romans/3-4 "Romans 3:4 - God's Truthfulness and Human Lies")). Secondly, the phrase "in my haste" introduces the theme of **rash judgment and the danger of emotional outbursts**. It highlights how extreme circumstances can lead to sweeping, unconsidered conclusions that may not reflect objective truth, serving as a cautionary note against speaking impulsively. Finally, and most importantly, this verse serves as a crucial **contrast to divine faithfulness**. While "All men are liars," the entire psalm culminates in the unwavering truthfulness and steadfast love of God, who alone is truly dependable and faithful to His promises, as beautifully articulated elsewhere in the Old Testament, stating that God is not a man that He should lie (e.g., [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God Does Not Lie")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Haste (Hebrew, _châphaz'_):** The Hebrew word חָפַז (H2648, _châphaz_) is a primitive root meaning "to start up suddenly," "to hasten away," or "to fear" and "tremble." In this context, it conveys a state of agitation, panic, or sudden alarm that leads to an unthinking, impulsive utterance. It suggests that the psalmist's statement was not a carefully reasoned theological conclusion but an emotional outburst born out of intense fear, distress, or profound disappointment, perhaps even a feeling of being cornered or overwhelmed by life-threatening circumstances. This word emphasizes the emotional rather than intellectual origin of his declaration, highlighting the vulnerability of human judgment under duress.
* **Liars (Hebrew, _kâzab'_):** The Hebrew word כָזָב (H3576, _kâzab_) is a primitive root meaning "to lie" (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively. It encompasses both intentional deception and a general unreliability or failure to fulfill promises. When the psalmist declares "All men are liars," he is expressing a profound sense of disillusionment, likely having experienced a situation where human assurances or support proved utterly unreliable or deceptive, leaving him feeling abandoned or betrayed in his moment of greatest need. This word highlights the stark contrast between the perceived unreliability of humanity and the absolute trustworthiness of God, a central theme of the psalm.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I said in my haste":** This opening clause is a crucial self-correction and confession. The psalmist transparently acknowledges that the sweeping declaration that follows was not a carefully considered, rational statement but an utterance made under extreme emotional duress. It implies a recognition that his judgment was clouded by panic, fear, or intense disappointment, and thus, the statement was a product of his agitated state rather than an objective truth. This honesty is characteristic of the psalms, where the full spectrum of human emotion, even rash thoughts, is brought before God without reservation.
* **"All men [are] liars":** This is the substance of the hasty declaration. It is a hyperbolic generalization born from a deeply personal experience of perceived betrayal or the complete failure of human support. While not a literal theological statement about every single human being, it reflects the psalmist's acute sense of disillusionment and the feeling that in his moment of crisis, no human source could be trusted or relied upon. It underscores the profound vulnerability and isolation he felt, leading him to conclude that humanity, in its fallen state, is fundamentally unreliable and prone to deceit, especially when compared to the unfailing faithfulness of God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where the psalmist makes an exaggerated statement ("All men are liars") to express the overwhelming intensity of his feeling of disillusionment and perceived betrayal, rather than asserting a literal, universal truth. This overstatement vividly conveys his emotional distress and the depth of his perceived abandonment. Secondly, the verse functions as a **Confession**, as the psalmist openly admits to a rash and potentially untrue statement made under duress. This act of transparent self-disclosure is a recurring feature in the psalms, demonstrating the psalmist's radical honesty before God. Finally, the verse sets up a profound **Contrast** that permeates the entire psalm: the inherent unreliability and deceitfulness of humanity versus the unwavering faithfulness and absolute truthfulness of God. While humans may fail and lie, God remains steadfast, providing the ultimate foundation for trust and hope.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 116:11 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of humanity and the character of God. It highlights the inherent fallibility of human beings, who, in their fallen state, are prone to deceit, broken promises, and general unreliability. This human weakness stands in stark contrast to the absolute truthfulness and unwavering faithfulness of God. The psalmist's hasty declaration, though an emotional outburst, implicitly directs the reader to the only truly dependable source of truth and salvation. It underscores that while human support may fail and human words may prove false, God's word and His promises are eternally trustworthy, providing a secure anchor in a world of shifting sands. The psalmist's experience serves as a reminder that ultimate trust must be placed in the divine, not the human.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that He should lie")
* [Romans 3:4](/romans/3-4 "Romans 3:4 - Let God be true, though every man a liar")
* [Titus 1:2](/titus/1-2 "Titus 1:2 - God, who never lies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The psalmist's raw confession in Psalms 116:11 provides a powerful mirror for our own human experience. In moments of intense pressure, profound disappointment, or perceived betrayal, it is all too easy to lash out with sweeping, negative generalizations about others or even about life itself. This verse reminds us of the danger of speaking "in our haste," allowing our emotions to dictate our words and judgments, which can often be regrettable, untrue, and damaging. It encourages us to cultivate self-awareness and pause before speaking when we are distressed, remembering that our ultimate trust should never be placed solely in fallible human beings, but in the unfailing faithfulness of God. Furthermore, the psalmist's honesty in confessing his rash statement models for us the freedom to bring our unfiltered thoughts, doubts, and even our cynical conclusions before God. He is big enough to handle our raw emotions and can gently redirect our hearts back to His truth, reminding us that even when human support fails, His steadfast love never does.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have I spoken "in my haste" and later regretted my words, and what was the underlying emotion that prompted it?**
* **How does my experience of human unreliability or disappointment shape my trust in God, and what steps can I take to deepen that divine trust?**
* **What practical steps can I implement to pause and reflect before making sweeping judgments about others, especially when I am feeling distressed or betrayed?**
* **How does the psalmist's transparency in this verse encourage me to be more open and honest with God about my own difficult emotions and thoughts, knowing He understands?**

### FAQ

**Was the psalmist literally saying that every single person is a liar?**

Answer: No, the psalmist was not making a literal, theological statement about the inherent deceitfulness of every single human being. The phrase "in my haste" (Hebrew _châphaz_) indicates that this was an emotional outburst, a hyperbolic generalization born from a moment of intense distress, fear, or profound disappointment. He likely experienced a situation where human promises or support failed him utterly, leaving him feeling abandoned or betrayed, leading him to a sweeping conclusion about the unreliability of people in general. It's a raw expression of disillusionment, not a carefully reasoned theological doctrine. The broader context of [Psalm 116](/psalms/116 "Psalm 116 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving") is a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, which stands in stark contrast to this temporary, human-centric despair, ultimately affirming that God alone is truly trustworthy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 116:11, with its stark declaration of human unreliability, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist lamented that "All men are liars," Jesus stands as the embodiment of perfect truth and unwavering faithfulness. He is the [Word made flesh, full of grace and truth](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the one who declared, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")," and in whom "all the promises of God find their 'Yes'" (e.g., [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ")). Unlike fallible humanity, whose promises often fail and whose words can deceive, Christ's words are eternally true and His promises are always fulfilled, for He is God incarnate, incapable of lying (e.g., [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - God Cannot Lie")). In a world where human trust is frequently broken and hearts are disappointed by the unreliability of others, Jesus offers an unshakeable foundation. He is the faithful witness, the one who never lies, and the ultimate source of truth and salvation, providing the perfect counterpoint to the psalmist's hasty and despairing cry, revealing that while men may fail, God, in Christ, remains eternally true and utterly trustworthy.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 3:4

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Psalms 31:22

For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

Jeremiah 9:4

Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

Jeremiah 9:5

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Psalms 62:9

Surely men of low degree [are] vanity, [and] men of high degree [are] a lie: to be laid in the balance, they [are] altogether [lighter] than vanity.

2 Kings 4:16

And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

1 Samuel 27:1

¶ And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.