Psalms 12:4

"May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,"

Key Reflection

In the context of first-century Palestine, Psalms 12:4 expresses a powerful wish for divine judgment against those who flatter and boast. The psalmist likely addressed leaders or influential figures in society who used deceptive speech to gain advantage. The original audience would have understood "flattering lips" as references to deceitful rhetoric aimed at gaining favor, while the "tongue that boasts" denotes prideful self-promotion. Such language was seen as a threat to social and religious integrity, hence the plea for God to remove such voices from society.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Who have said -Who habitually say. This does not mean that they had formally and openly said this - for none would be likely to do so - but that they had practically and really said this by their conduct. They acted as if it were the real principle on which they framed their lives, that they might use their tongues as they pleased. With our tongue -literally, “as to,” or “in respect to our tongue;” that is, by our tongue. It was by the tongue that they expected to accomplish their purposes. It was not by direct power, or by violence, but by the power of speech. Will we prevail -literally, “We will do mightily;” that is, they would accomplish their purposes.

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