TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 120:1–4. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. Deliverance from a false tongue obtained by prayer. David records his own experience of this.
1.He was brought into distress, into great distress, by lying lips and a deceitful tongue. There were those that sought his ruin, and had almost effected it, by lying.
(1.)By telling lies to him. They flattered him with professions and protestations of friendships, and promises of kindness and service to him, that they might the more securely and without suspicion carry on their designs against him, and might have an opportunity, by betraying his counsels, to do him a mischief. They smiled in his face and kissed him, even when they were aiming to smite him under the fifth rib. The most dangerous enemies, and those which it is most hard to guard against, are such as carry on their malicious designs under the colour of friendship. The Lord deliver every good man from such lying lips.
(2.)By telling lies of him. They forged false accusations against him and laid to his charge things that he knew not. This has often been the lot not only of the innocent, but of the excellent ones, of the earth, who have been greatly distressed by lying lips, and have not only had their names blackened and made odious by calumnies in conversation, but their lives, and all that is dear to them in this world, endangered by false-witness-bearing in judgment. David was herein a type of Christ, who was distressed by lying lips and deceitful tongues.
2.In this distress he had recourse to God by faithful and fervent prayer: I cried unto the Lord. Having no fence against false tongues, he appealed to him who has all men's hearts in his hand, who has power over the consciences of bad men, and can, when he pleases, bridle their tongues. His prayer was, "Deliver my soul, O Lord! from lying lips, that my enemies may not by these cursed methods work my ruin." He that had prayed so earnestly to be kept from lying (Psa 119:29) and hated it so heartily in himself (Psa 119:163) might with the more confidence pray to be kept from being belied by others, and from the ill consequences of it.
3.He obtained a gracious answer to this prayer. God heard him; so that his enemies, though they carried their designs very far, were baffled at last, and could not prevail to do him the mischief they intended. The God of truth is, and will be, the protector of his people from lying lips, Psa 37:6.
II.The doom of a false tongue foretold by faith, Psa 120:3, Psa 120:4.
As God will preserve his people from this mischievous generation, so he will reckon with their enemies, Psa 12:3, Psa 12:7. The threatening is addressed to the sinner himself, for the awakening of his conscience, if he have any left: "Consider what shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done unto thee, by the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, thou false tongue." Surely sinners durst not do as they do if they knew, and would be persuaded to think, what will be in the end thereof. Let liars consider what shall be given to them: Sharp arrows of the Almighty, with coals of juniper, that is, they will fall and lie for ever under the wrath of God, and will be made miserable by the tokens of his displeasure, which will fly swiftly like arrows, and will strike the sinner ere he is aware and when he sees not who hurts him. This is threatened against liars, Psa 64:7. God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. They set God at a distance from them, but from afar his arrows can reach them. They are sharp arrows, and arrows of the mighty, the Almighty; for they will pierce through the strongest armour and strike deep into the hardest heart. The terrors of the Lord are his arrows (Job 6:4), and his wrath is compared to burning coals of juniper, which do not flame or crackle, like thorns under a pot, but have a vehement heat, and keep fire very long (some say, a year round) even when they seem to be gone out. This is the portion of the false tongue; for all that love and make a lie shall have their portion in the lake that burns eternally, Rev 22:15.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Therefore it was none other than God whom David too implored for his deliverance: “When I was in trouble, I called on the Lord, and he heard me; deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.” To him also giving thanks he spoke the words of the song in the seventeenth psalm [LXX], in the day in which the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul, saying, “I will love you, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my strong rock and my defense and deliverer.” And Paul, after enduring many persecutions, to none other than God gave thanks, saying, “Out of them all the Lord delivered me; and he, in whom we trust, will deliver me.”
"Deliver my soul, O Lord, from unrighteous lips, and from a deceitful tongue" [Psalm 120:2]. What is a deceitful tongue? A treacherous tongue, one that has the semblance of counsel, and the bane of real mischief. Such are those who say, And will you do this, that nobody does? Will you be the only Christian?...Some deter by dissuasion, others discourage yet more by their praise. For since such is the life that has for some time been diffused over the world, so great is the authority of Christ, that not even a pagan ventures to blame Christ. He who cannot be censured is read. They cannot contradict Christ, they cannot contradict the Gospel, Christ cannot be censured; the deceitful tongue turns itself to praise as an hindrance. If you praise, exhort. Why do you discourage with your praise?...You turn yourself to another mode of dissuasion, that by false praise you may turn me away from true praise; nay, that by praising Christ you may keep me away from Christ, saying, What is this? Behold these men have done this: thou, perhaps, will not be able: you begin to ascend, you fall. It seems to warn you: it is the serpent, it is the deceitful tongue, it has poison. Pray against it, if you wish to ascend.
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Summary
Psalm 120:2 presents an earnest and deeply personal supplication from the psalmist to the Lord, seeking divine intervention and protection from the insidious and destructive power of false and treacherous speech. It articulates a profound vulnerability to the spiritual and emotional harm inflicted by "lying lips" and a "deceitful tongue," recognizing that only God's sovereign deliverance can provide genuine refuge and preserve the psalmist's very soul from such malicious verbal assaults.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 120 holds a significant position as the inaugural psalm in the renowned collection known as the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134). This series of fifteen psalms is traditionally understood as hymns chanted by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the annual festivals, embodying a spiritual ascent towards God's holy city. This opening psalm immediately establishes a tone of profound distress and an urgent plea for deliverance from a hostile and deceptive environment. The psalmist vividly describes dwelling "among those who hate peace" in Psalm 120:6, indicating a context of relentless conflict and verbal aggression. The fervent prayer for deliverance from lying and deceitful speech thus powerfully sets the stage for a spiritual pilgrimage from a place of turmoil and falsehood towards the ultimate peace and security found in God's presence in Zion, a foundational theme that progressively unfolds throughout the subsequent psalms of ascent.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, an individual's reputation, honor, and social standing were of paramount importance, rendering verbal attacks—such as slander, false witness, and malicious gossip—exceptionally potent weapons. These assaults were capable of inflicting severe damage, often leading to social ostracization, legal repercussions, or even physical harm. The psalmist's lament about dwelling "in Meshech" and "among the tents of Kedar" in Psalm 120:5 likely serves as a metaphorical or potentially literal reference to exile among hostile, non-Israelite peoples renowned for their aggression and treachery. This imagery amplifies the psalmist's profound sense of isolation and vulnerability to insidious verbal attacks. This cultural backdrop critically underscores why a prayer for deliverance from a "deceitful tongue" was far more than a mere wish for relief from minor annoyance; it was a desperate, existential cry for protection from threats that could utterly dismantle one's life and identity.
Key Themes
The central and most prominent theme of Psalm 120:2 is the urgent appeal for Divine Deliverance from human malice, specifically manifested through injurious speech. The psalmist unequivocally recognizes that only the Lord, the covenant God, can provide true and lasting protection against such insidious attacks, highlighting a profound and unwavering reliance on God's sovereign power. This verse also powerfully underscores The Peril of Deceit, emphasizing the deep and lasting harm caused by "lying lips" and a "deceitful tongue." It vividly reveals how falsehood can inflict deep emotional and spiritual wounds, disrupt communal peace, and create profound personal distress, thereby reflecting broader biblical warnings about the destructive power of the tongue, as eloquently seen in Proverbs 18:21. Implicitly, the prayer also champions the Value of Truth and Integrity, contrasting it sharply with the destructive nature of lies and expressing a deep longing for a context of genuine peace and uprightness, as explicitly stated in Psalm 120:7.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
A primitive root, meaning "to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense." This word conveys an urgent and forceful act of rescue, indicating that the psalmist is in a perilous situation from which only a powerful, divine intervention can extract them. It implies a desperate need for God to actively intervene and remove the psalmist from the grip of danger, rather than merely offering comfort.
Properly, "a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)." In this context, nephesh refers to the psalmist's entire being—their life, inner self, personhood, and vitality. The plea to "deliver my soul" is not for superficial relief but for the preservation of their very existence and inner peace from the profound and pervasive harm inflicted by malicious words.
"an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)." This term denotes a deliberate falsehood, a deception, or a lie. When combined with "lips," it refers to speech that is inherently untrue, often uttered with malicious intent to mislead, slander, or harm. It signifies a fundamental lack of integrity in communication, a perversion of truth.
From a root meaning "remissness, treachery." This word signifies "deceit, treachery, fraudulence." When combined with "tongue," it describes speech that is cunning, treacherous, and unreliable, used to ensnare, betray, or subtly undermine. It suggests a more insidious, strategic form of deception, where words are crafted to trick or manipulate rather than merely to state an outright falsehood.
"the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)." Here, "tongue" refers to the organ of speech, but by extension, it represents the entire capacity for verbal communication. Its pairing with "deceitful" emphasizes the instrument through which treachery and manipulation are carried out.
Verse Breakdown
"Deliver my soul, O LORD"
This opening clause is a direct, urgent, and deeply personal invocation to Yahweh (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), the covenant God of Israel. The psalmist's use of "my soul" (H5315, nephesh) signifies a plea for the preservation of their entire being—their life, inner self, emotional well-being, and spiritual peace. It is a recognition that the impact of malicious words can be profoundly damaging, threatening one's very existence and identity, and that only divine intervention (H5337, nâtsal) can provide true rescue.
"from lying lips"
This clause specifies the primary source of the psalmist's distress: speech that is fundamentally false, slanderous, or misleading. "Lying lips" (H8267, sheqer combined with H8193, sâphâh) points to a direct assault on truth and integrity, where words are used as weapons to distort reality, damage reputation, and inflict harm through outright falsehoods.
"from a deceitful tongue"
This phrase serves to reinforce and intensify the preceding one, expanding upon the description of the verbal threat. A "deceitful tongue" (H7423, rᵉmîyâh combined with H3956, lâshôwn) highlights the treacherous, cunning, and insidious nature of the verbal assault. It suggests not just an outright lie, but a deliberate, artful deception designed to ensnare, manipulate, or betray. The parallelism emphasizes the pervasive, multifaceted, and deeply insidious nature of the verbal attacks the psalmist endures.
Literary Devices
Psalm 120:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent plea and underscore the destructive nature of false speech. The most prominent is Synonymous Parallelism, where the phrases "lying lips" and "deceitful tongue" express similar ideas through different but closely related terms. This repetition does not merely reiterate but intensifies the focus on the pervasive and multifaceted threat of dishonest communication, emphasizing its insidious nature. Furthermore, "lips" and "tongue" function as a form of Synecdoche, where a part (the organs of speech) represents the whole (the malicious individuals themselves or their entire capacity for verbal deception). This device makes the abstract concept of falsehood tangible and personal, highlighting the instrument through which harm is inflicted. The language also carries a strong sense of Metonymy, as "lying lips" and "deceitful tongue" stand in for the people who utter lies and practice deception, thereby transforming the abstract concept of untruth into a concrete, personal threat.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The psalmist's fervent cry for deliverance from "lying lips" and a "deceitful tongue" resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning the fundamental conflict between truth and falsehood. God, as consistently revealed in Scripture, is inherently truthful, faithful, and incapable of lying (Numbers 23:19). Therefore, deceit, falsehood, and treachery are fundamentally antithetical to His holy character and the principles of His kingdom. The Bible consistently portrays lying as a grave sin, often directly linked to the work of the adversary, who is chillingly identified as "the father of lies" (John 8:44). This psalm thus taps into a core theological conflict: the ongoing spiritual battle that believers face against the forces of falsehood, recognizing that verbal attacks are not merely social nuisances but profound spiritual assaults that can deeply wound the soul and undermine divine order. The plea is a profound recognition that only the God of truth can truly protect and preserve His people from the pervasive and destructive power of untruth.
Reflection and Application
In a contemporary world increasingly saturated with misinformation, malicious gossip, and intentional falsehoods, Psalm 120:2 offers a timeless prayer and a profound challenge for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that verbal attacks are not a new phenomenon but a persistent and insidious threat to peace, integrity, and spiritual well-being. This psalm calls us to cultivate acute discernment, to be ever vigilant against the deceptive narratives that pervade our culture, and critically, to guard our own speech, ensuring that our words are seasoned with grace, truth, and love. It powerfully encourages us to bring our anxieties about verbal attacks—whether originating from social media, workplace gossip, political rhetoric, or personal relationships—directly to the Lord, trusting in His sovereign ability to shield our souls from harm and to ultimately vindicate the righteous. Ultimately, Psalm 120:2 is a clarion call to live as people of truth and integrity in a world prone to deceit, relying wholeheartedly on God's delivering power to navigate the treacherous and often damaging landscape of human communication.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the "soul" mentioned in this plea?
The term "soul" (Hebrew: nephesh) in this context refers to the entire person, encompassing their life, vitality, inner being, and very essence. When the psalmist prays, "Deliver my soul, O LORD," it signifies a plea for preservation from a profound, existential threat. Lies and deceit are not merely superficial annoyances; they possess the power to deeply wound one's reputation, sever relationships, erode emotional well-being, and even disrupt spiritual peace. In ancient societies, a person's honor and good name were intimately tied to their identity and social standing. False accusations or slander could destroy a life as effectively as physical violence. Therefore, the psalmist recognizes the profound and destructive impact of verbal attacks on their entire person, seeking God's protection for their very existence and inner peace against such insidious assaults.
How does this psalm relate to the broader "Songs of Ascents"?
Psalm 120 serves as the foundational psalm for the entire collection of "Songs of Ascents" (Psalm 120 to Psalm 134), setting the initial tone and context for the pilgrim's spiritual journey. It begins from a place of profound distress and conflict, with the psalmist crying out to God "in my distress" and suffering from "lying lips" and a "deceitful tongue." This initial plea for deliverance from external, often verbal, hostility establishes the challenging starting point of the spiritual pilgrimage: a world fraught with trouble and deception. As the pilgrim journeys towards Jerusalem, the city of peace and God's presence, the subsequent psalms gradually shift from personal distress to themes of unwavering trust in God's protection (Psalm 121), profound joy in communal worship (Psalm 122), humble reliance on divine help (Psalm 123), and ultimately, the blessedness of living in unity and peace in God's house (Psalm 133). Psalm 120 thus powerfully highlights a primary obstacle to peace and security on this spiritual journey, underscoring the vital need for divine intervention against the pervasive power of untruth.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalm 120:2, with its heartfelt cry for deliverance from "lying lips" and a "deceitful tongue," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of Truth (John 14:6), the eternal Word made flesh, in whom "no deceit was found" (1 Peter 2:22). While the psalmist prayed for deliverance from the destructive power of lies, Jesus Himself directly confronted the "father of lies," the devil, who "has no truth in him, because there is no truth in him" (John 8:44). Moreover, Jesus endured the ultimate onslaught of "lying lips" and "deceitful tongues" throughout His earthly ministry, particularly leading up to His crucifixion. He was falsely accused, slandered, and condemned by deceitful witnesses (Mark 14:55-59), yet He remained silent before His accusers, allowing His ultimate act of truth, love, and self-sacrifice on the cross to speak for itself. Through His victorious death and glorious resurrection, Christ triumphed decisively over the power of deception, sin, and death, establishing a kingdom founded on divine truth and righteousness. Believers, united with Him through faith, are now called to "put away falsehood and speak the truth to one another in love" (Ephesians 4:25), empowered by the Holy Spirit, who is unequivocally identified as the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13). It is this Spirit who guides them into all truth and sets them truly free from the bondage of lies (John 8:32), enabling them to live as conduits of truth in a world desperately needing the light of Christ.