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

19He will redeem my soul in shalom from the battle against me. For many are striving with me. 20God will hear and humble them —yes, the One enthroned of old. Selah Nothing changes—they do not fear God. My companion put forth his hands against those at peace with him, as he violates his covenant. 22Smoother than butter was his speech, yet war was in his heart. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 23Cast your burden on Adonai, and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.

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 doers of iniquity, who speak peace with their neighbors, while evil is in their hearts.
• Psalms 57:4He will send from heaven and save me. He rebukes the one trampling on me. Selah God is sending His mercy and His truth.
• Psalms 62:4How long will all of you assault a man, to crush him, like a leaning wall, a fence to be torn down?
• Psalms 64:3Hide me from the conspiracy of evildoers, from the tumult of workers of iniquity,
• Proverbs 5:3For a seducing woman’s lips drip honey and her mouth is smoother than oil.
• Proverbs 12:18Reckless speech is like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Proverbs 26:24One who hates, disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
• Matthew 26:25And Judah, the one betraying Him, replied, “I’m not the one, am I, Rabbi?” Yeshua said to him, “You’ve said it yourself.”
• Luke 20:20Now they watched Him and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order to trap Him in His words so they could hand Him over to the power and authority of the governor.
• John 13:2While the seder meal was happening, the devil had already put in the heart of Judah from Kriot that he should hand over Yeshua.

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