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, the one who has reigned as king from long ago, will hear and humiliate them. (Selah) They refuse to change, and do not fear God. 20He attacks his friends; he breaks his solemn promises to them. His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords. 22Throw your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended. 23But you, O God, will bring them down to the deep Pit. Violent and deceitful people will not live even half a normal lifespan. But as for me, I 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 evil men, with those who behave wickedly, who talk so friendly to their neighbors, while they plan to harm them!
• Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among those who want to devour me; men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are a sharp sword.
• Psalms 62:4They spend all their time planning how to bring him down. They love to use deceit; they pronounce blessings with their mouths, but inwardly they utter curses. (Selah)
• Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like a sword; they aim their arrow, a slanderous charge,
• Proverbs 5:3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words are smoother than olive oil,
• Proverbs 12:18Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.
• Proverbs 26:24The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
• Matthew 26:25Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself.”
• Luke 20:20Then they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They wanted to take advantage of what he might say so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.
• John 13:2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus.

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