Psalms 12:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 12:3 delivers a profound declaration of divine judgment against two insidious forms of human speech: manipulative flattery and arrogant boasting. In a world often characterized by insincere words and self-exalting declarations, this verse offers a powerful assurance of God's active and decisive intervention to uphold truth and justice, promising the certain and complete removal of those who weaponize their words for deceit, exploitation, or defiance against His sovereignty. It stands as a beacon of hope for the oppressed, affirming God's unwavering commitment to righteous communication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 12 is a poignant lament, situated within the opening collection of the Psalter (Psalms 1-41), often referred to as Book One. The psalm opens with the psalmist's desperate plea for divine help, lamenting the pervasive absence of "godly men" and the dwindling number of "faithful" individuals from society, creating a moral vacuum where truth seems to have vanished ([Psalms 12:1](/psalms/12-1 "Psalms 12:1 - The Faithful Fail")). He vividly portrays a social landscape dominated by falsehood, where people speak "vain words" to their neighbors, possessing "a double heart" that masks their true intentions ([Psalms 12:2](/psalms/12-2 "Psalms 12:2 - Vain Words and Double Hearts")). The wicked further exacerbate this moral decay with their defiant boasts, declaring, "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" ([Psalms 12:4](/psalms/12-4 "Psalms 12:4 - The Boast of the Proud")). Against this bleak backdrop of widespread human deceit and arrogance, verse 3 emerges as a powerful divine promise of decisive action, contrasting sharply with the absolute purity and trustworthiness of the Lord's own words, which are likened to "silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" ([Psalms 12:6](/psalms/12-6 "Psalms 12:6 - The Pure Words of the Lord")). The psalm concludes with a renewed plea for God's preservation of the righteous from the pervasive influence of the wicked who "walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted" ([Psalms 12:8](/psalms/12-8 "Psalms 12:8 - The Wicked Walk on Every Side")), underscoring the urgent need for the divine intervention promised in verse 3.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Psalms 12 does not specify a particular historical event, it reflects a common and recurring experience in ancient Israel where righteous individuals often faced severe oppression and moral decay within their own societal structures. The "flattering lips" and "proud things" spoken by the wicked likely refer to the manipulative rhetoric of corrupt officials, false prophets, or those in positions of power who exploited the vulnerable through deceit and self-exaltation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, oral communication held immense power; public declarations, oaths, and blessings carried significant weight and were often considered binding. Consequently, the misuse of speech—through lies, slander, or boastful defiance—was not merely a social faux pas but a severe offense that directly undermined social cohesion, justice, and the very fabric of covenantal life. The psalmist's lament highlights a period of profound moral decline where the integrity of speech had eroded, leading to a breakdown of trust and an environment where the vulnerable were easily exploited, thereby prompting an urgent cry for God's intervention to restore order, truth, and righteousness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes found throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, asserting God's active, certain, and comprehensive retribution against those who pervert speech for evil. It highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and His unwavering commitment to righteousness, even when human society seems to have abandoned it. This theme is foundational to the biblical understanding of God as a moral governor who will ultimately set all wrongs right. Secondly, it emphasizes the profound **Moral Significance of Speech**, portraying words not as neutral utterances but as potent forces for good or evil, capable of building up or tearing down. The psalm condemns specific forms of destructive speech—deceitful flattery and arrogant boasting—thereby highlighting the ethical responsibility inherent in all human communication. This aligns strongly with wisdom literature, which frequently warns against the dangers of the tongue and extols the virtues of truthful speech (e.g., [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Death and Life in the Power of the Tongue") and [Proverbs 12:18](/proverbs/12-18 "Proverbs 12:18 - Reckless Words")). Finally, the verse contributes to the overarching theme of **God's Opposition to Ungodly Arrogance and Deceit**, sharply contrasting the corrupt words of fallen humanity with the perfect, trustworthy, and pure words of the Lord Himself ([Psalms 12:6](/psalms/12-6 "Psalms 12:6 - The Pure Words of the Lord")). This divine opposition sets the stage for God's decisive action to "cut off" such destructive speech, affirming His character as a God of truth, holiness, and justice who will not tolerate falsehood or defiance in His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This verb, H3772, signifies a decisive and often violent severance, termination, or annihilation. While _kârath_ can also be used in the context of "cutting a covenant" (implying a binding agreement), here it unequivocally denotes destruction, removal, or consumption. It implies a definitive, authoritative act of judgment by God, not merely a cessation, but an active intervention to eliminate the source of offensive speech. The use of this strong verb underscores the certainty, severity, and permanence of God's promised action against the wicked.
* **Flattering (Hebrew, _chelqâh'_):** This word, H2513, is derived from a root meaning "smooth" or "slippery." Figuratively, it describes speech that is insincere, deceptive, or manipulative. It suggests words that are artfully crafted to please, persuade, or mislead, often for personal gain, to conceal true intentions, or to disarm a target. Such speech lacks integrity and is designed to exploit or disarm others, making it particularly insidious in its impact, as it often appears benign while harboring malicious intent.
* **Proud things (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This term, H1419, literally meaning "great things," in this context, refers to boastful, arrogant, or defiant declarations. It describes speech that exalts oneself, challenges divine or human authority, or expresses contempt for others. This kind of speech is characterized by self-sufficiency, an overestimation of one's own power or importance, and a refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty, as vividly seen in the broader context of the psalm where the wicked declare, "our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" ([Psalms 12:4](/psalms/12-4 "Psalms 12:4 - The Boast of the Proud")). It is speech born of hubris.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD shall cut off":** This opening phrase immediately establishes divine agency and authority. It is not human effort, societal reform, or the passage of time that will rectify the problem of corrupt speech, but the sovereign, decisive action of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The future tense "shall cut off" conveys an absolute certainty of judgment and an unwavering assurance that God will indeed intervene. This declaration provides immense comfort and hope to the psalmist and the righteous who suffer under the oppression of deceitful and proud words, affirming that their cries for justice are heard and will be answered.
* **"all flattering lips":** This clause targets speech characterized by insincerity, manipulation, and deceit. "Flattering lips" serve as a metonymy for the instrument of such speech, emphasizing its outward expression and the deceptive nature of the words themselves. The inclusion of the quantifier "all" indicates a comprehensive and exhaustive judgment against every instance and manifestation of such dishonest communication, leaving no room for its continued prevalence or influence. This highlights God's intolerance for any form of verbal dishonesty that seeks to exploit or mislead.
* **"and the tongue that speaketh proud things":** This second clause identifies the other primary target of God's judgment: arrogant, boastful, and defiant speech. The "tongue" is another powerful metonymy for speech, highlighting its active role in uttering "proud things"—words that exalt the self, defy God's authority, or demean others. This type of speech is a direct affront to God's sovereignty and a source of oppression for the humble and vulnerable. Like flattering lips, this form of speech will face certain and decisive divine retribution, demonstrating God's opposition to human hubris and self-exaltation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 12:3 effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message of divine judgment against corrupt speech. **Metonymy** is prominently featured, with "lips" and "tongue" serving as powerful stand-ins for the entire person's capacity for speech or, by extension, the person themselves who utters such words. This focuses the condemnation directly on the instrument and act of communication, highlighting the moral culpability of the speaker. The verse also utilizes **parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("and the tongue that speaketh proud things") reiterates and reinforces the condemnation of the first clause ("all flattering lips"). While distinct forms of speech, both are forms of ungodly communication that incur divine wrath, thus strengthening the overall message of comprehensive judgment against corrupt words. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **anthropomorphism** in "The LORD shall cut off," attributing a human action (cutting or severing) to God. This vivid imagery emphasizes God's direct, personal, and decisive intervention in human affairs, making His judgment tangible, certain, and absolute, assuring the psalmist and the righteous of His active involvement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 12:3 profoundly illustrates God's active and unwavering opposition to all forms of speech that undermine truth, justice, and humility. It reveals a God who is not passive in the face of human corruption, particularly the misuse of the tongue, which Scripture consistently identifies as a powerful force for both good and evil. This verse underscores the divine standard for communication, sharply contrasting the deceptive and arrogant words of fallen humanity with the perfectly pure, trustworthy, and eternally faithful words of God Himself. It affirms God's commitment to vindicating the righteous and establishing His kingdom where truth prevails and pride is abased. The judgment against flattering and proud lips is a direct manifestation of God's holy character, which cannot tolerate falsehood, manipulation, or self-exaltation, ensuring that ultimately, His righteous order will be established.

* [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16-19 "Proverbs 6:16-19 - Things the Lord Hates")
* [James 3:5-8](/james/3-5-8 "James 3:5-8 - The Power of the Tongue")
* [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36-37 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Account for Every Idle Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 12:3 serves as both a profound call to introspection and a deep source of comfort for believers today. In a world saturated with misinformation, manipulative rhetoric, and self-aggrandizing boasts, this verse powerfully reminds us that God sees, hears, and judges all forms of ungodly speech. For each of us, it presents a compelling challenge to examine our own words: Do our lips consistently speak truth and sincerity, or are we sometimes prone to flattery for personal gain, social acceptance, or to avoid uncomfortable truths? Does our tongue speak humbly and edifyingly, or do we succumb to prideful boasting, seeking to elevate ourselves at the expense of others or God's glory? This verse encourages us to actively cultivate speech that reflects the very character of Christ—speech that is truthful, gracious, humble, and life-giving. It also offers immense comfort and assurance to those who are victims of deceitful words, slander, or arrogant oppression, reminding them that the Lord Himself will intervene and bring perfect justice. We are called to be people whose words build up, convey truth, honor God, and serve His purposes, knowing that every word we utter will ultimately be accounted for before our righteous Judge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I unknowingly use "flattering lips" in my interactions, and what underlying motivations might drive such speech?**
* **How does "the tongue that speaketh proud things" manifest in contemporary society and in my own life, and what practical steps can I take to guard against its influence?**
* **Considering the certainty of God's judgment, what intentional practices can I adopt to ensure my words consistently align with truth, humility, and grace?**
* **How does the promise of God's decisive action against ungodly speech encourage me when I feel overwhelmed or discouraged by the prevalence of falsehood and arrogance in the world around me?**

### FAQ

**Why does God care so much about the words we speak?**

Answer: God cares deeply about our words because speech is a primary and powerful expression of our hearts and minds, directly reflecting our inner character, beliefs, and allegiances. As Jesus Himself taught, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" ([Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart")). Words possess immense creative and destructive power; they can build up or tear down, convey truth or spread deceit, honor God or defy Him. In a covenant relationship with God, integrity of speech is paramount, as God Himself is a God of truth whose "words are pure words" ([Psalms 12:6](/psalms/12-6 "Psalms 12:6 - The Pure Words of the Lord")). Deceitful and proud speech directly opposes God's holy character and His desire for righteous living within His creation, disrupting community, fostering injustice, and ultimately challenging His divine sovereignty. Therefore, God's judgment against such speech is an essential act of divine justice and a clear demonstration of His unwavering commitment to truth, holiness, and the flourishing of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 12:3 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. As the very embodiment of truth and grace, Jesus's lips never spoke flattery, nor did His tongue ever utter proud or self-exalting things. Instead, He consistently spoke "words of eternal life" ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")) and "taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" ([Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")), exposing hypocrisy and revealing divine truth. He directly confronted and exposed the deceit and self-righteousness of the Pharisees, who were masters of flattering words and proud declarations, pronouncing woes upon their corrupt speech and actions ([Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Furthermore, the "cutting off" of flattering and proud lips foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over all forms of evil, deception, and rebellion. His first coming inaugurated the kingdom of truth, and at His glorious return, He will judge the living and the dead, and every "idle word" will be accounted for ([Matthew 12:36](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36 - Account for Every Idle Word")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, believers are reconciled to God and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to put off "filthy communication" and speak "truth in love" ([Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Speak Truth in Love"), [Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech")), becoming those whose words reflect the purity, humility, and grace of their Savior, anticipating the final and complete triumph of God's truth over all falsehood and pride in the consummation of His kingdom.

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

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.