Psalms 12:3

The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, [and] the tongue that speaketh proud things:

The LORD {H3068} shall cut off {H3772} all flattering {H2513} lips {H8193}, and the tongue {H3956} that speaketh {H1696} proud {H1419} things:

May ADONAI cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks so proudly,

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.

Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh great things;

Psalms 12:3 declares God's decisive judgment against two specific forms of harmful speech: deceitful flattery and arrogant boasting. In a world where such words often seem to prevail, this verse offers a powerful assurance of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of truth.

Context

Psalm 12 is a lament, opening with the psalmist's cry to God for help because "the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men" (Psalms 12:1). The surrounding verses paint a picture of a society rife with falsehood, vain words, and double hearts. The psalmist observes that people speak "with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak" (Psalms 12:2), and they proudly declare, "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" (Psalms 12:4). Against this backdrop of human corruption and arrogance, verse 3 stands as a divine promise of intervention and rectification.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: The verse emphasizes God's active role in judging wickedness, particularly the misuse of speech. It asserts that God Himself will "cut off" these destructive tongues, indicating a sure and certain retribution for those who wield words for evil. This speaks to God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and His commitment to justice.
  • The Danger of Deceit and Pride: The verse highlights two specific dangers:
    • Flattery: "Flattering lips" are those that speak insincerely, often to manipulate, gain advantage, or mislead. Such words lack genuine intention and can be profoundly harmful.
    • Prideful Speech: "The tongue that speaketh proud things" refers to arrogant, boastful, or defiant language. This kind of speech often exalts self, diminishes others, and challenges God's authority, as seen in the broader context of the psalm.
  • God's Opposition to Ungodly Speech: This verse underscores that God does not tolerate speech that is deceptive, manipulative, or born of arrogance. It contrasts sharply with the pure and trustworthy words of the LORD Himself, as described later in the psalm.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "flattering" here is ḥālāq (חָלָק), meaning "smooth" or "slippery." It conveys the idea of speech that is deceptively smooth, insincere, and designed to manipulate rather than convey truth. It suggests a lack of integrity behind the words. The phrase "proud things" comes from the Hebrew gĕdōlōt (גְּדֹלוֹת), meaning "great things." In this context, it refers to boastful, arrogant declarations, words that exalt oneself and defy divine or moral authority. This highlights the self-exalting and defiant nature of such speech.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 12:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of our words. We are called to be people of truth and humility, avoiding both the temptation to flatter for personal gain (Proverbs 29:5) and the sin of arrogant boasting (James 4:6). This verse encourages us to examine our own speech, ensuring it is sincere, edifying, and glorifying to God, not ourselves. It also offers comfort and hope to those who suffer under the weight of deceitful or proud words, assuring them that God sees and will ultimately bring justice.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 18:21

    ¶ Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  • Daniel 7:8

    I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn [were] eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

  • Revelation 13:5

    And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

  • Psalms 17:10

    They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

  • 2 Kings 19:23

    By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, [and into] the forest of his Carmel.

  • 2 Kings 19:24

    I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.

  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back