Psalms 120:3

Context

Psalm 120 is the first of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), believed to be sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. This psalm opens with the psalmist's cry for deliverance from deceitful speech, setting a tone of distress amidst a hostile environment. The speaker feels surrounded by those who practice falsehood and strife, yearning for peace in a world full of conflict. Verse 3 is a direct, rhetorical question posed to the "false tongue," expressing a deep desire for divine justice against those who spread lies and cause harm through their words.

Key Themes

• The Destructive Power of the Tongue: This verse highlights the profound damage caused by deceitful, slanderous, or malicious speech. A "false tongue" represents gossip, lies, and words intended to wound or betray.
• Divine Justice and Retribution: The rhetorical question "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee?" implies a severe and certain judgment awaiting the deceitful. It reflects a belief in God's ultimate justice and His response to wickedness, particularly the misuse of speech.
• Longing for Truth and Peace: Underlying the imprecation is the psalmist's yearning for an environment of integrity and genuine peace, a stark contrast to the strife caused by false words.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "false tongue" in Hebrew is lashon remiyah (לָשׁוֹן רְמִיָּה), which literally means "tongue of deceit" or "treacherous tongue." It emphasizes speech that is not merely mistaken but intentionally misleading and harmful. The rhetorical questions "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee?" are a powerful expression of righteous indignation and a plea for commensurate punishment. They anticipate the answer in the following verse (Psalm 120:4), which speaks of "sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper," signifying a swift and burning judgment.

Commentary and Application

Psalms 120:3 serves as a potent reminder of the severe consequences of malicious communication. The psalmist's impassioned plea underscores the pain and disruption caused by those who speak falsely. While we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, this verse captures the human anguish and desire for accountability when faced with persistent deceit. It points to a divine principle: words have power, and God holds individuals accountable for how they use their tongues. The New Testament frequently echoes this, emphasizing the importance of truthful and edifying speech, as seen in passages like Ephesians 4:29 about speaking only what is good for building up.

For believers today, this verse encourages us to:

• Guard Our Own Tongues: Recognize the immense power of our words, understanding that they can bring life or death (Proverbs 18:21). We are called to speak truth in love and avoid gossip, slander, and deceit, remembering that we will give an account for every idle word (Matthew 12:36).
• Trust in Divine Justice: When we are victims of false accusations or deceitful speech, this verse reminds us that God sees and will ultimately bring justice. We can rest in the knowledge that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19), rather than seeking personal retribution.
• Pray for Deliverance and Peace: Like the psalmist, we can pray for deliverance from environments dominated by falsehood and for the establishment of truth and peace.