Psalms 120:3

KJV

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

KJV (with Strong's)

What shall be given {H5414} unto thee? or what shall be done {H3254} unto thee, thou false {H7423} tongue {H3956}?

Complete Jewish Bible

What has he in store for you, deceitful tongue? What more will he do to you?

Berean Standard Bible

What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?

American Standard Version

What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 120:3 poses a profound rhetorical question to the "false tongue," encapsulating the psalmist's deep distress and fervent plea for divine judgment against those who propagate deceit, slander, and malicious speech. As the inaugural psalm of the Songs of Ascents, it immediately establishes a tone of profound anguish and a yearning for deliverance from a hostile environment permeated by falsehood, thereby underscoring the severe pain and societal disruption wrought by verbal treachery and anticipating God's certain and just retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 120 serves as the powerful introduction to the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), a collection of fifteen psalms traditionally recited by pilgrims on their journey to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. The psalm opens with the psalmist's desperate cry to the Lord in [Psalms 120:1-2](/psalms/120-1-2 "Psalm 120:1-2 - A Cry for Deliverance from Distress"), lamenting his protracted dwelling among people who are hostile to peace. Verse 3, "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?", functions as a direct, rhetorical imprecation aimed squarely at the source of this profound distress—the "false tongue." This pointed question sets the stage for the explicit answer provided in [Psalms 120:4](/psalms/120-4 "Psalm 120:4 - Divine Judgment on Deceitful Tongues"), which vividly describes the specific and severe judgment awaiting the deceitful: "sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper." The psalm concludes with the psalmist's heartfelt longing for peace amidst the pervasive strife, powerfully reinforcing the central theme of verbal conflict and its destructive consequences.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Songs of Ascents" imply a setting of pilgrimage, a journey that was often fraught with peril. Pilgrims would traverse diverse territories, some of which might be hostile, rendering them vulnerable to bandits, false accusations, or the slander of rival groups. In ancient Near Eastern societies, verbal integrity was not merely a virtue but a foundational pillar of social order; one's word, oaths, and public reputation carried immense weight and legal consequence. A "false tongue" possessed the power to utterly destroy a person's standing, incite tribal or national conflict, or lead to grave legal injustice, as vividly illustrated in cases of false witness (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:16-19](/deuteronomy/19-16-19 "Deuteronomy 19:16-19 - The Punishment for False Witness")). The psalmist's profound distress therefore reflects a societal context where malicious speech was far from a minor annoyance; it was a deeply destructive force, often without immediate human recourse, thus necessitating a fervent appeal for divine intervention and justice.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical canon. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **The Destructive Power of the Tongue**, portraying malicious speech not merely as words but as a potent weapon that inflicts profound pain, disrupts social harmony, and shatters peace, a truth echoed profoundly in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of Life and Death in the Tongue"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, expressing a deep and unwavering conviction that God, in His righteousness, will not leave wickedness unpunished, especially the egregious misuse of speech. The rhetorical question anticipates God's certain and severe judgment, a pervasive theme found throughout the prophetic books and wisdom literature. Finally, the verse implicitly reveals the psalmist's profound **Longing for Truth and Peace**, starkly contrasting the desired environment of integrity with the current, painful reality of strife caused by pervasive falsehood. This yearning for *shalom*, or holistic peace, is a recurring and central motif in the psalms, particularly in the context of Jerusalem as the very "city of peace" (e.g., [Psalms 122:6](/psalms/122-6 "Psalm 122:6 - Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **given (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** From H5414, a primitive root meaning "to give," used with the greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.). In this context, it implies a recompense or consequence that will be "given" to the false tongue, signifying the inevitable divine response to its destructive actions. The broadness of the term suggests a comprehensive and fitting retribution.
* **false (Hebrew, _rᵉmîyâh'_):** From H7423, meaning "remissness, treachery." It denotes deceit(-ful, -fully), guile, or being idle/slack. Here, it specifically describes the nature of the tongue's actions—not merely mistaken, but characterized by deliberate treachery, fraud, and malicious intent. It highlights the moral culpability and the destructive, misleading nature of the speech.
* **tongue (Hebrew, _lâshôwn'_):** From H3956, referring to 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). In this verse, "tongue" is used figuratively to represent speech itself, emphasizing its capacity for both good and evil. Coupled with "false," it personifies the instrument of deceitful communication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What shall be given unto thee?":** This opening rhetorical question, directed with righteous indignation at the "false tongue," serves as a powerful expression of the psalmist's demand for justice. It implies an impending recompense or consequence that will be meted out, suggesting that the nature of this "giving" will be punitive—a direct and negative consequence for the harm inflicted by deceitful speech.
* **"or what shall be done unto thee?":** This parallel question intensifies the first, moving beyond the concept of mere "giving" to emphasize the active execution of judgment. The repetition underscores the certainty of retribution and the psalmist's fervent plea for divine intervention, highlighting a desire for God to actively intervene and bring about a just outcome against the purveyor of falsehood.
* **"thou false tongue?":** This direct and confrontational address personifies the very source of the psalmist's anguish. By speaking to the "false tongue" as if it were a sentient entity capable of receiving judgment, the psalmist vividly highlights the agency, moral culpability, and destructive intent of those who wield deceitful speech. It functions as a potent indictment of both the instrument and the malicious purpose behind the words.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 120:3 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of righteous indignation and anticipated divine justice. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee?" These questions are not posed to elicit information but to express the psalmist's fervent desire for divine retribution and to emphatically imply the certainty and severity of the impending judgment. The very act of asking underscores the psalmist's profound anguish and unwavering conviction that justice must prevail. Closely related to this is **Imprecation**, where the psalmist, through these questions, implicitly invokes divine judgment upon the "false tongue." While not a direct command to God, the questions serve as a powerful plea for God to act justly against the wicked. Furthermore, the verse utilizes striking **Personification** by directly addressing the "false tongue" as if it were a sentient being capable of receiving and enduring punishment. This device vividly portrays the tongue as an active, culpable agent of harm, making the indictment more potent and personally impactful. The inherent **Parallelism** in the two questions ("What shall be given... or what shall be done...") also serves to intensify the plea and emphasize the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the desired judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 120:3 profoundly articulates the biblical understanding of the gravity of speech and God's unwavering commitment to justice. The psalmist's cry for retribution against the "false tongue" is not merely a personal outburst of frustration but reflects a deep theological conviction that God is a God of truth who abhors deceit and will hold individuals stringently accountable for their words. This verse serves as a stark reminder that words are never neutral; they carry immense power for either good or ill, and their misuse is a serious offense against God's character and His created order. While the New Testament calls believers to love their enemies and bless those who persecute them, the psalmist's plea here captures the righteous indignation that arises when truth is trampled and peace is shattered by malicious falsehood. It affirms with certainty that God sees, hears, and will ultimately respond to such wickedness, providing a firm foundation for trust in divine sovereignty even when human justice seems absent or delayed.

* [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16-19 "Proverbs 6:16-19 - Seven Abominations to the Lord")
* [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36-37 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Accountability for Every Idle Word")
* [James 3:5-8](/james/3-5-8 "James 3:5-8 - The Untamable Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 120:3 serves as a potent and timeless reminder for contemporary believers about the profound and far-reaching impact of our words, as well as the immutable nature of divine justice. In an age saturated with information, misinformation, and often careless or even malicious communication, this verse challenges us to pause and deeply consider the ethical and spiritual implications of every word we utter. It calls us to cultivate unwavering integrity in our own tongues, recognizing that gossip, slander, deceit, and careless falsehood are not trivial matters but destructive forces that grieve the Holy Spirit, erode trust, and inflict profound harm upon others and the fabric of community. When we find ourselves as the unfortunate recipients of a "false tongue," this psalm encourages us to bring our pain, our anguish, and our desire for justice directly to God, trusting that He is the ultimate and righteous arbiter who sees all, knows all, and will act righteously in His perfect timing. It invites us to pray not for personal vengeance, but for God's truth and peace to prevail, both in our personal interactions and in the broader world, while simultaneously spurring us to be active agents of truth, reconciliation, and grace in a world desperately in need of authentic communication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's anguish over the "false tongue" resonate with your own experiences of deceit, slander, or verbal betrayal?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might we, perhaps unintentionally, contribute to a "false tongue" culture through careless words, unverified information, or participation in gossip?**
* **How does trusting in God's ultimate and perfect justice, as implied in this verse, free us from the heavy burden of seeking personal retribution when we have been wronged?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can we commit to taking to ensure our words consistently build up, speak truth in love, and actively promote peace in our relationships, families, and communities?**

### FAQ

**Is this verse advocating for personal vengeance against those who speak falsely?**

Answer: No, this verse is emphatically not advocating for personal vengeance. Instead, it expresses the psalmist's deep anguish and a fervent, righteous plea for divine justice. The rhetorical questions "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee?" are directed to God, implicitly asking Him to execute judgment and bring about a just recompense. The psalmist is crying out to the Lord for deliverance from a hostile environment, trusting that God, in His perfect righteousness, will ultimately deal with the deceitful. This aligns perfectly with broader biblical principles that declare vengeance belongs to the Lord, not to individuals (e.g., [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord")). The verse reflects a profound, righteous indignation against injustice and a complete reliance on God's sovereign and perfect judgment.

**How does this psalm, with its plea for judgment, relate to New Testament teachings on loving enemies?**

Answer: While the New Testament indeed calls believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (e.g., [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), Psalms 120:3 represents a different, yet complementary, aspect of biblical truth: God's unwavering justice. The psalms often express the raw, unvarnished human experience of suffering, injustice, and a deep yearning for righteousness in a fallen world. This verse acknowledges the very real pain and profound harm caused by malicious speech and the legitimate, God-given desire for accountability. It is a prayer for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done, which inherently includes the triumph of truth and justice over falsehood and wickedness. The New Testament does not negate God's justice but rather reveals its ultimate fulfillment and the path to reconciliation through the atoning work of Christ. Believers are called to extend grace and mercy, but also to recognize that God remains sovereign and will ultimately judge all unrighteousness, bringing about perfect justice in His time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 120:3, with its anguished cry against the "false tongue" and its anticipation of divine judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of truth, the Word made flesh, who perfectly spoke truth and never uttered a single word of deceit ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Example")). Jesus Himself endured the most egregious manifestation of the "false tongue" when He was subjected to malicious accusations, perjured testimony, and slander during His unjust trial and brutal crucifixion ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59-60 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")). Yet, instead of calling down immediate judgment, He silently bore the immense injustice, thereby fulfilling the prophetic suffering servant motif (e.g., [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")). His crucifixion was the ultimate act of divine justice, where the sin of the world—including the destructive power of the tongue—was judged and atoned for. Through His glorious resurrection, Jesus was powerfully vindicated, demonstrating God's decisive triumph over all falsehood, deceit, and injustice, and establishing the foundational reality for a new kingdom where truth, righteousness, and peace eternally prevail. For believers, the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us to put away all falsehood and to speak truth in love ([Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Speak Truth with Your Neighbor")), transforming our tongues from potential instruments of deceit into vessels of grace, healing, and truth, thereby reflecting the very character of Christ who is "full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")).

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

Job 27:8

For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Romans 6:21

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.