Psalms 120:2

KJV

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from a deceitful tongue.

KJV (with Strong's)

Deliver {H5337} my soul {H5315}, O LORD {H3068}, from lying {H8267} lips {H8193}, and from a deceitful {H7423} tongue {H3956}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rescue me, ADONAI, from lips that tell lies, from a tongue full of deceit.

Berean Standard Bible

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.

American Standard Version

Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips, Andfrom a deceitful tongue.

Commentary

### 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](/psalms/120-6 "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](/psalms/120-5 "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](/psalms/120-2 "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](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of Life and Death in the Tongue"). 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](/psalms/120-7 "Psalm 120:7 - A Man of Peace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deliver (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** H5337, 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.
* **soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** H5315, 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.
* **lying (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** H8267, "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.
* **deceitful (Hebrew, _rᵉmîyâh'_):** H7423, 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.
* **tongue (Hebrew, _lâshôwn'_):** H3956, "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](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")). 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](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Father of Lies")). 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.

* [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16-19 "Proverbs 6:16-19 - Seven Things the Lord Hates")
* [Psalm 34:13](/psalms/34-13 "Psalm 34:13 - Guarding the Tongue")
* [Revelation 21:8](/revelation/21-8 "Revelation 21:8 - The Fate of Liars")

### 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
* **How do "lying lips" and "deceitful tongues" manifest in my own life or community today, and what is their tangible impact on peace and truth?**
* **In what specific ways am I called to be a guardian of truth, both in the words I speak and in my discernment of others' words, particularly in challenging contexts?**
* **What practical and spiritual steps can I take to actively seek God's deliverance from the negative spiritual, emotional, and relational impact of falsehoods in my life?**

### FAQ

**Why is the "soul" mentioned in this plea?**

Answer: 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"?**

Answer: Psalm 120 serves as the foundational psalm for the entire collection of "Songs of Ascents" ([Psalm 120](/psalms/120 "Psalm 120 - A Song of Distress") to [Psalm 134](/psalms/134 "Psalm 134 - A Call to Praise at Night")), 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](/psalms/120-1 "Psalm 120:1 - A Cry for Deliverance")" 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](/psalms/121 "Psalm 121 - The Lord, My Keeper")), profound joy in communal worship ([Psalm 122](/psalms/122 "Psalm 122 - Prayer for Jerusalem's Peace")), humble reliance on divine help ([Psalm 123](/psalms/123 "Psalm 123 - Our Eyes Look to the Lord")), and ultimately, the blessedness of living in unity and peace in God's house ([Psalm 133](/psalms/133 "Psalm 133 - The Blessing of Unity")). 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](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), the eternal Word made flesh, in whom "no deceit was found" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). 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](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Father of Lies")). 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](/mark/14-55-59 "Mark 14:55-59 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")), 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](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Put Away Falsehood")), empowered by the Holy Spirit, who is unequivocally identified as the Spirit of Truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). It is this Spirit who guides them into all truth and sets them truly free from the bondage of lies ([John 8:32](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Will Set You Free")), enabling them to live as conduits of truth in a world desperately needing the light of Christ.

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 12:22

¶ Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.

Psalms 109:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

Psalms 109:2

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

Matthew 26:59

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Matthew 26:62

And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what [is it which] these witness against thee?

Psalms 35:11

¶ False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.

Psalms 140:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;