Psalm 12:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts,

NIV: May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue--

NASB: May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things;

CSB: May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully.

NLT: May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues.

KJV: The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

NKJV: May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things,

David is embroiled in what seems like an entirely dishonest, completely ungodly culture (Psalm 12:1–2). This is probably a deliberate exaggeration, known as hyperbole, something seen elsewhere in the Bible (Psalm 18:34; Matthew 7:3; Proverbs 4:16). This also echoes other Old Testament complaints offered towards God about the prevalence of evil (Habakkuk 2:1–4; Psalms 22:1). Scripture gives no details about exactly what prompted David to write this psalm. He prays for the Lord to silence the false talkers, who flatter and boast. These evil ones are assured of their sins, thinking there will be no consequences (Psalm 12:4).

Every generation has an abundance of "big talkers." They use arrogance, bragging, smooth talk, and lying compliments to deceive and dominate. Daniel 7:23–26 refers to an evil figure who will come to power in the end-times tribulation period. He speaks words against God and persecutes God's people (Daniel 7:25). But after three and a half years, this big-talking leader faces sudden judgment. He and his kingdom will be consumed and destroyed (Daniel 7:26). This end-time antichrist and his allies take their lead from the old serpent, the Devil, whose evil words seduced Eve. She fell for his lies and denial of God's prediction of death for disobeying His will (Genesis 3:1–6). Someday, however, an angel will descend from heaven, seize the Devil, bind him for a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1–3). Ultimately, the Devil who deceives the nations will spend eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Psalm 12:1–4 is a prayer of deliverance from proud, evil people who spread lies. David sees a perilous decline of righteous individuals. From his perspective, it seems as if the entire world has turned to evil. The wicked employ lies, flattery, and hypocrisy. They assume their actions won't result in consequences. Therefore, David prays for the Lord to put an end to such wicked people.

In this short song, David mourns for what he sees as an entirely corrupt, evil culture. The people around him seem entirely filled with lies, flattery, and deception. These arrogant smooth-talkers think the power of their words will achieve whatever they desire. In contrast to the evil words the wicked employ, are the Lord's words. They are as pure and precious as silver refined seven times over in a furnace. David is confident that the Lord will protect His people from the harm their wicked contemporaries are inflicting. David concludes the psalm with a description of the widespread evil committed by the wicked. It is everywhere, and it is highly praised throughout the land.

This psalm reveals a basic contrast between the words of deceitful, flattering evildoers and the pure, reliable words of God. David laments the speech and behavior of a proud, deceitful culture. This brings to mind similar complaints from the Old Testament (Habakkuk 1:2–4; Psalm 22). He also expresses assurance that the Lord will protect him and all the righteous from their wicked contemporaries (Psalm 3:3).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.