New International VersionHis talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
New Living TranslationHis words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
English Standard VersionHis speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Berean Standard BibleHis speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
King James BibleThe 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 King James VersionThe 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.
New American Standard BibleHis speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
NASB 1995His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
NASB 1977His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Legacy Standard BibleHis speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Amplified BibleThe words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But his heart was hostile; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Christian Standard BibleHis buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHis buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.
American Standard VersionHis mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
Contemporary English VersionHis words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil. But hatred filled his heart, and he was ready to attack with a sword.
English Revised VersionHis mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationHis speech is smoother than butter, but there is war in his heart. His words are more soothing than oil, but they are like swords ready to attack.
Good News TranslationHis words were smoother than cream, but there was hatred in his heart; his words were as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
International Standard VersionHis mouth is as smooth as butter, while war is in his heart. His words were as smooth as olive oil, while his sword is drawn.
NET BibleHis 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.
New Heart English BibleHis mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
Webster's Bible TranslationThe 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHis speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
World English BibleHis mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHis mouth has been sweeter than honey, "" And his heart [is] war! His words have been softer than oil, "" And they [are] drawn [swords].
Young's Literal Translation Sweeter than honey hath been his mouth, And his heart is war! Softer have been his words than oil, And they are drawn swords.
Smith's Literal TranslationThey were divided from the wrath of his mouth, and his heart drew near: his words were soft above oil, and they drawn swords. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Biblethey are divided by the wrath Of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and the same are darts.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThey were divided by the wrath of his countenance, and his heart has drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and they are arrows.
New American Bible
Softer than butter is his speech, but war is in his heart. Smoother than oil are his words, but they are unsheathed swords.
New Revised Standard Version
with speech smoother than butter, but with a heart set on war; with words that were softer than oil, but in fact were drawn swords.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
They were afraid because of the anger in his countenance and the wrath in his heart; his words were smoother than butter, yet were they sharp like the point of a spear.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They were troubled by the passion of his Person and by the anger of his heart; his words were softer than oil and effective as spearheads.OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet were they keen-edged swords.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
They were scattered at the anger of his countenance, and his heart drew nigh them. His words were smoother than oil, yet are they darts.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Cast Your Burden upon the LORD… 20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. 21His speechis smoothas butter,but waris in his heart.His wordsare softerthan oil,yet they areswords unsheathed.22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.…
Cross References Proverbs 5:3-4Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, / in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword.
Proverbs 26:24-25A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
Jeremiah 9:8Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.
Proverbs 12:18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 10:18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 29:5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Matthew 26:48-49Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
Matthew 23:27-28Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Romans 16:18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
James 3:8-10but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. / With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. / Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
2 Corinthians 11:13-15For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.
Psalm 28:3Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.
Psalm 62:4They fully intend to cast him down from his lofty perch; they delight in lies; with their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah
Isaiah 30:10They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.
Ezekiel 33:31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
Treasury of Scripture 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. The words Psalm 28:3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischiefis in their hearts. Psalm 57:4 My soulis among lions:and I lieeven among them that are set on fire,even the sons of men, whose teethare spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Psalm 62:4 They only consult to casthim down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. war John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon'sson, to betray him; Jump to Previous ButterCreamDrawnHeartHoneyKeen-EdgedMouthOilSharpSmoothSmootherSoothingSpeechSpeechesSweeterSwordsWarWordsJump to Next ButterCreamDrawnHeartHoneyKeen-EdgedMouthOilSharpSmoothSmootherSoothingSpeechSpeechesSweeterSwordsWarWordsPsalm 55 1.David in his prayer complains of his fearful case9.He prays against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he complains16.He comforts himself in God's preservation oh him, and confusion of his enemiesHis speech is smooth as butterThis phrase highlights the deceptive nature of the speaker's words. In biblical times, butter was a luxury, symbolizing richness and smoothness. The imagery suggests a facade of kindness and gentleness. This can be compared to Proverbs 5:3, where the lips of an adulterous woman drip honey, indicating deceit. The smooth speech is a tool for manipulation, reminiscent of the serpent's words to Eve in Genesis 3, which were cunning and misleading. but war is in his heart
Despite the outward appearance of peace, the true intention is conflict. This reflects the biblical theme of the heart's deceitfulness, as seen inJeremiah 17:9, which states that the heart is deceitful above all things. The contrast between outward speech and inward intent is a warning against trusting appearances. Historically, this can be seen in the actions of figures like Absalom, who spoke kindly to win the hearts of the people while plotting rebellion against his father, King David (2 Samuel 15). His words are softer than oil
Oil in the ancient Near East was used for anointing and healing, symbolizing smoothness and comfort. The comparison suggests that the words are meant to soothe and placate. However, this softness is a guise, much like the flattering lips mentioned inPsalm 12:2, which hide true intentions. The use of oil also connects to the anointing of kings and priests, indicating a false sense of authority or blessing. yet they are swords unsheathed
The imagery of swords unsheathed reveals the true danger behind the words. In biblical literature, swords often symbolize judgment and warfare, as seen inEphesians 6:17, where the Word of God is described as the sword of the Spirit. The unsheathing of swords indicates readiness for battle, suggesting that the speaker's words, though seemingly gentle, are prepared to cause harm. This duality is a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers face, where discernment is necessary to recognize the true nature of seemingly benign influences. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 55, David is expressing his anguish over betrayal by a close companion. 2. JerusalemThe setting of many of David's psalms, often representing a place of both divine presence and human conflict. 3. BetrayalThe central event in this psalm, where David feels deceived by someone he trusted, reflecting a broader theme of treachery. 4. EnemiesThose who oppose David, often characterized by deceitful and malicious intentions. 5. GodThe ultimate refuge and source of justice for David amidst his trials. Teaching Points The Deceptive Nature of WordsWords can be used to manipulate and deceive, appearing gentle while hiding harmful intentions. Believers should be discerning and seek wisdom to recognize such deceit. The Reality of BetrayalEven those closest to us can betray us. This reality should drive us to place our ultimate trust in God, who is faithful and just. Guarding Our Own SpeechAs followers of Christ, we are called to ensure our words align with our hearts, promoting peace and truth rather than deceit and harm. Seeking Refuge in GodIn times of betrayal and conflict, God remains our steadfast refuge. We should turn to Him for comfort and justice. The Power of ForgivenessWhile betrayal is painful, believers are called to forgive as Christ forgave, trusting God to handle justice. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 55
Who are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
Does the deliverance from death proclaimed in Psalm 56:13 contradict other biblical accounts of faithful figures who died tragically?
In Job 5:9, does the claim of God performing countless marvels conflict with documented miracles (or lack thereof) in other biblical texts?
What does wormwood symbolize in Revelation?(21) The words of his mouth.--The ancient versions and the grammatical anomalies point to a corruption of the text. Read, Smoother than butter is his face.The reading facefor mouthis suggested by the LXX., though their version has wandered far from the text even thus amended. Drawn swords.--The comparison of the tongue to a sword is frequent; that of the words themselves not so usual, but apt. We may compare Shakespeare's "I will speak daggers to her, but use none."--Hamlet. Verse 21. - The words of his mouth wore smoother than butter; literally, smooth were the butters of his mouth - i.e., his flattering utterances. But war was in hisheart; literally, but his heart was war.His words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords;i.e. keen, cutting - according to our own idiom, "like daggers."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew His speechפִּיו֮(pîw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according tois smoothחָלְק֤וּ ׀(ḥā·lə·qū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2505:To be smooth, to apportion, separateas butter,מַחְמָאֹ֣ת(maḥ·mā·’ōṯ)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4260:Something buttery, as, flatterybut warוּֽקֲרָב־(ū·qă·rāḇ-)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7128:Hostile encounteris in his heart.לִ֫בּ֥וֹ(lib·bōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820:The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centreHis wordsדְבָרָ֥יו(ḏə·ḇā·rāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeare softerרַכּ֖וּ(rak·kū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7401:To be tender, weak or softthan oil,מִשֶּׁ֗מֶן(miš·še·men)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081:Grease, liquid, richnessyet they areוְהֵ֣מָּה(wə·hêm·māh)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992:Theyswords unsheathed.פְתִחֽוֹת׃(p̄ə·ṯi·ḥō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6609:Something opened, a drawn sword
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OT Poetry: Psalm 55:21 His mouth was smooth as butter (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
