Psalms 55:21

Psalms 55:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
• New International Version (NIV)His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
• English Standard Version (ESV)His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

Context of Psalms 55:21

19God will hear and humble them, Even He who sits enthroned from old— Selah. Because in them there has been no change [of heart], And they do not fear God [at all]. 20He [my companion] has put out his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant [of friendship and loyalty]. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But his heart was hostile; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. 22Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail). 23But You, O God, will bring down the wicked to the pit of destruction; Men of blood and treachery will not live out half their days. But I will [boldly and unwaveringly] trust in You.

Psalms 55:21 word by word

חָלְק֤וּ׀ מַחְמָאֹ֣ת פִּיו֮ וּֽקֲרָב־לִ֫בּ֥וֹ רַכּ֖וּ דְבָרָ֥יו מִשֶּׁ֗מֶן וְהֵ֣מָּה פְתִחֽוֹת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• of his mouthפֶּהpeh · lip: wordH6310
• were smootherחָלַקchâlaq · to smoothH2505
• than butterמַחֲמָאֹתmachămâ'âh · butterH4260
• but warקְרָבqerâb · battleH7128
• in his heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• his wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• were softerרָכַךְrâkak · be tenderH7401
• than oilשֶׁ֫מֶןshemen · oilH8081
• they drawn swordsפְּתִיחָהpethichâh · drawn swordH6609

Cross-references for Psalms 55:21

• Psalms 28:3Do not drag me away with the wicked And with those who do evil, Who speak peace with their neighbors, While malice and mischief are in their hearts.
• Psalms 57:4My life is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe out fire— The sons of men whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
• Psalms 62:4They consult only to throw him down from his high position [to dishonor him]; They delight in lies. They bless with [the words of] their mouths, But inwardly they curse. Selah.
• Psalms 64:3Who have sharpened their tongues like a sword. They aim venomous words as arrows,
• Proverbs 5:3For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey [like a honeycomb] And her speech is smoother than oil;
• Proverbs 12:18There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Proverbs 26:24He who hates, disguises it with his lips, But he stores up deceit in his heart.
• Matthew 26:25And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.”
• Luke 20:20So they watched [for a chance to trap] Him. They sent spies who pretended to be upright and sincere, in order that they might catch Him in some statement [that they could distort and use against Him], so that they could turn Him over to the control and authority of [Pilate] the governor.
• John 13:2It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,

Commentaries on Psalms 55:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Were smoother than butter - He was a complete courtier, and a deep, designing hypocrite besides. His words were as soft as butter, and as smooth as oil, while he meditated war; and the fair words which were intended to deceive, were intended also to destroy: they were drawn swords. This is a literal description of the words and conduct of Absalom, as we learn from the inspired historian, 2 Samuel 15:2, etc. He was accustomed to wait at the gate; question…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter - Prof. Alexander renders this, “Smooth are the butterings of his mouth.” This is in accordance with the Hebrew, but the general meaning is well expressed in our common version. The idea is, that he was a hypocrite; that his professions of friendship were false; that he only used pleasant words - words expressive of friendship and love - to deceive and betray. We have a similar expression when we speak of…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-23Verses 16-23 In every trial let us call upon the Lord, and he will save us. He shall hear us, and not blame us for coming too often; the oftener the more welcome. David had thought all were against him; but now he sees there were many with him, more than he supposed; and the glory of this he gives to God, for it is he that raises us up friends, and makes them faithful to us. There are more true Christians, and believers have more real friends, than in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-21God is good and faithful, but the psalmist’s enemies and so-called friend are deceitful and wicked.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2120-21. The treachery is aggravated by hypocrisy. The changes of number, Psa 55:15, 23, and here, enliven the picture, and imply that the chief traitor and his accomplices are in view together.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 55:21

• Falsehood
• Friends
• Hypocrisy
• Sincerity
• Words

In the dictionaries

• Counsel
• Equal
• Escape
• Hasted
• Neginoth
• Psalms
• Faint
• Oil
• Psalms, Book of
• Maschil

Commentaries on Psalms 55

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings