Psalms 12:4

KJV

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips [are] our own: who [is] lord over us?

KJV (with Strong's)

Who have said {H559}, With our tongue {H3956} will we prevail {H1396}; our lips {H8193} are our own: who is lord {H113} over us?

Complete Jewish Bible

those who say, "By our tongues, we will prevail; our lips are with us. Who can master us?"

Berean Standard Bible

They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”

American Standard Version

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 12:4 encapsulates the audacious defiance and self-proclaimed autonomy of the wicked, who believe their words are their ultimate weapon and that they are accountable to no higher power. This verse is a stark declaration of rebellion against divine authority, highlighting the moral decay that David observes in his society where speech is weaponized for self-advancement and oppression, asserting complete autonomy from God's rule and accountability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 12 is a lament, a heartfelt cry from David to God amidst a society characterized by widespread deceit and moral decline. The psalm opens with David's desperate plea for divine intervention because "the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men" ([Psalms 12:1](/psalms/12-1 "Psalms 12:1 - The Faithful Fail")). He describes the pervasive atmosphere of insincerity, where people speak "vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak" ([Psalms 12:2](/psalms/12-2 "Psalms 12:2 - Deceitful Speech")). This sets the stage for verse 4, which reveals the underlying motive and arrogant spirit behind such speech: a profound rejection of any external authority, especially God's. The psalm then contrasts this human arrogance with God's pure and trustworthy words ([Psalms 12:6](/psalms/12-6 "Psalms 12:6 - God's Pure Words")), culminating in a plea for divine preservation ([Psalms 12:7](/psalms/12-7 "Psalms 12:7 - Divine Preservation")) and a recognition of the wicked's continued influence ([Psalms 12:8](/psalms/12-8 "Psalms 12:8 - The Wicked Walk on Every Side")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the psalm doesn't specify a particular historical event, it reflects a common lament theme found throughout the Psalms, depicting periods of social and moral decay within Israel. In ancient Near Eastern societies, speech held immense power. Oaths, blessings, and curses were believed to have tangible effects. The king, as God's representative, was expected to uphold justice and truth. However, when leaders and society at large deviated from divine law, the result was often oppression and injustice, particularly for the vulnerable. The boast of "our lips are our own" would have been a profoundly provocative statement in a culture that understood all things, including speech, as ultimately belonging to or being accountable to God. This defiance mirrors the arrogance of powerful individuals or groups who felt unrestrained by societal norms or divine commands, using their influence and words to manipulate and dominate.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 12 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights the **Arrogance and Self-Sufficiency** of the wicked, who believe their verbal prowess is an ultimate weapon, sufficient to achieve their ends without divine aid or moral constraint. This self-exaltation stands in stark contrast to the humility expected of God's people. Secondly, it underscores the **Defiance of Divine Authority**, as the rhetorical question "who is lord over us?" is a direct challenge to God's sovereignty, echoing the rebellious spirit seen in those who suppress the truth about God ([Romans 1:21](/romans/1-21 "Romans 1:21 - Rejecting God's Glory")). Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the **Misuse of the Tongue**, portraying speech not as a tool for truth or edification, but as an instrument of pride, deceit, and oppression, demonstrating the destructive potential of words when divorced from godly principles. Finally, it points to the theme of **Moral Anarchy**, where the rejection of divine accountability leads to societal breakdown and injustice, a world where "the wicked walk on every side" ([Psalms 12:8](/psalms/12-8 "Psalms 12:8 - The Wicked Walk on Every Side")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prevail (Hebrew, _gabar'_):** This word (גָּבַר) signifies "to be strong," "to be mighty," "to overpower," or "to prevail." In this context, it conveys the wicked's absolute confidence that their words alone possess sufficient force and cunning to achieve their desired outcomes, whether it be manipulating others, gaining advantage, or asserting dominance. It speaks to a belief in the inherent efficacy and irresistible power of their own speech.
* **Lips (Hebrew, _saphah'_):** The Hebrew term (שָׂפָה) refers literally to the "lip," but by extension, it signifies "language," "speech," or "utterance." The declaration "our lips are our own" is a profound statement of autonomy, asserting complete ownership and control over their words and, by implication, their thoughts, actions, and destiny. It is a defiant rejection of any external claim or authority over their verbal expressions or their lives.
* **Lord (Hebrew, _adon'_):: This word (אָדוֹן) denotes "lord," "master," or "sovereign." The rhetorical question "who is lord over us?" is not an inquiry but a defiant rhetorical challenge. It is a direct affront to God, the ultimate Lord and Master, and reveals a spirit of utter rebellion against His rightful place as sovereign over all creation, including human speech and conduct.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail":** This clause introduces the direct speech of the wicked, highlighting their self-assured boast. Their confidence is placed squarely in their verbal ability, believing that their cunning, flattery, or threats will inevitably grant them victory and dominance over others. It speaks to a strategic and manipulative use of speech for personal gain.
* **"our lips [are] our own":** This is a bold declaration of absolute self-ownership and autonomy. It asserts that their words, and by extension their thoughts and actions, are entirely their property, free from any external claim, moral obligation, or divine accountability. It signifies a radical individualism that rejects any higher standard or authority governing their speech.
* **"who [is] lord over us?":** This rhetorical question functions as a defiant challenge and an explicit rejection of sovereignty. It is not a genuine query but a declaration that they acknowledge no master, no authority, and certainly no God, who has the right to command or judge them. This statement encapsulates their rebellious spirit and their desire to live without accountability.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The primary device is **Direct Speech**, which immediately immerses the reader in the audacious and defiant mindset of the wicked. By quoting their exact words, "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips [are] our own: who [is] lord over us?", the psalmist vividly portrays their arrogance and self-sufficiency, making their rebellion palpable. The use of a **Rhetorical Question** ("who is lord over us?") further amplifies their defiance; it is not a question seeking an answer, but a bold declaration of their perceived autonomy and rejection of any higher authority. This rhetorical device underscores their hubris and challenges the very notion of divine sovereignty. Furthermore, the verse uses **Metonymy**, where "tongue" and "lips" stand in for the broader concept of "speech" or "words." This emphasizes the physical instrument of their rebellion, highlighting how their very vocalizations are imbued with their defiant spirit. The overall tone is one of **Irony**, as their boast of self-sufficiency and freedom from a "lord" is ultimately futile in the face of God's true sovereignty, which the psalmist implicitly upholds throughout the psalm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 12:4 profoundly illustrates the human tendency towards self-exaltation and rebellion against God's authority. The declaration "our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" is a quintessential expression of fallen humanity's desire for autonomy, a spirit that originated in the Garden of Eden with the temptation to "be as gods" ([Genesis 3:5](/genesis/3-5 "Genesis 3:5 - Be as Gods")). This verse highlights a fundamental theological conflict: God's absolute sovereignty versus humanity's defiant claim to self-rule. It underscores that true freedom is found not in rejecting divine authority but in humble submission to the Creator, whose words are pure and trustworthy, unlike the deceitful speech of the wicked. The misuse of the tongue, as depicted here, is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing its immense power for both good and evil, and the ultimate accountability for every word spoken.

* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of the Tongue")
* [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - Taming the Tongue")
* [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gives Them Over")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 12:4 serves as a potent mirror for self-examination and a call to spiritual discernment. In a world saturated with information and diverse voices, it challenges us to consider the source and spirit behind the words we hear and, more importantly, the words we speak. Are our words truly "our own" in the sense of being free from divine accountability, or do we recognize that our speech, like every other aspect of our lives, is a stewardship from God? This verse compels us to confront the subtle and overt ways pride and a desire for self-sufficiency can manifest in our communication, leading us to manipulate, boast, or dismiss truth for personal gain. It reminds us that humility before God is the only antidote to such arrogance, prompting us to use our tongues not to "prevail" over others in a worldly sense, but to build up, to speak truth in love, and to glorify the One who is truly Lord over all. Our speech should reflect our submission to His authority, not our rebellion against it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, consciously or unconsciously, assert "my lips are my own" in my daily interactions or online presence?**
* **How does the desire to "prevail" through words manifest in my life, and is it aligned with God's will for my communication?**
* **What specific areas of my speech might need to come under the lordship of Christ more fully?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of accountability to God for every word I utter?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse suggest that all self-confidence in speech is wrong?**

Answer: No, this verse does not condemn all self-confidence in speech. Rather, it specifically targets an arrogant, defiant self-confidence that rejects divine authority and uses words for manipulative or oppressive purposes. The issue is not the power of the tongue itself, which can be used for immense good, but the *spirit* behind the words and the *source* of perceived authority. When the wicked declare, "With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?", they are asserting an autonomy that denies God's sovereignty and moral standards. In contrast, believers are called to speak with confidence that comes from God, using their words to build up, to share the Gospel, and to advocate for truth and justice, always under the lordship of Christ ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 12:4, with its stark depiction of human rebellion and the misuse of the tongue, finds its ultimate answer and antithesis in Jesus Christ. The wicked boast, "our lips are our own: who is lord over us?", embodying the human heart's fallen desire for autonomy from God. Yet, Jesus, the incarnate Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), perfectly exemplified submission to the Father's will, declaring, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things" ([John 8:28](/john/8-28 "John 8:28 - Jesus Speaks What He Hears From the Father")). His words were not "His own" in a rebellious sense, but perfectly aligned with divine truth and purpose, speaking "as one having authority, and not as the scribes" ([Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")). While the wicked sought to "prevail" through deceitful speech, Christ prevailed over sin and death through the truth of His words and the ultimate sacrifice of the cross, where He uttered words of forgiveness and surrender ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Father Forgive Them") and [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")). He is the true Lord whom the wicked deny, and His kingdom is established not by the boastful words of men, but by the power of God's Spirit transforming hearts to confess Him as Lord ([Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess Jesus as Lord")). In Christ, believers find liberation from the destructive pride of the tongue and are empowered to use their speech for His glory, reflecting His truth and love to a world still grappling with the question, "who is lord over us?"

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

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:6

And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Job 21:15

What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

2 Thessalonians 2:4

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Exodus 5:2

And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

Jeremiah 18:18

¶ Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.