Bible Commentary

Psalms 120:3

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:3

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

What shall be given unto thee? rather, what shall he (i.e. God) give to thee? Or, in other words—What punishment will God inflict on thee for thy false speaking? Or what shall be done unto thee? literally, or what shall he add to thee?

Compare the common phrase, "God do so unto me, and more also" (; ). Thou false tongue. The "false tongue" is apostrophized, as if it were a living person.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 120:1-4Psalms 120:1-4 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe psalmist was brought into great distress by a deceitful tongue. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. They forged false charges against him. In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. God can brid…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:1-7Psalms 120:1-7 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THE SONGS OF ASCENTS. THE next fifteen psalms have a common heading, which is translated "Songs of Degrees," "Songs of Ascents," or "Songs of Steps." They constitute together "a Little Psalter," which contain…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:1-7Psalms 120:1-7 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe perversion of power, etc. This psalm, though "a difference of opinion exists respecting the interpretation of almost every verse and word of it," may suggest valuable thoughts upon— I. THE PERVERSION OF POWER. It sp…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:1-7Psalms 120:1-7 · The Pulpit CommentaryIn Mesech and Kedar. This psalm is a piteous declaration of the unhappy lot of him who is surrounded by the false, the treacherous, and the cruel. They of Mesech—the Moschi of Herodotus (see Exposition)—dwelt where now…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:3Psalms 120:3 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe deceitful tongue. "Lips are soft; but when they are lying lips they suck away the life of character, and are as murderous as razors. Lips should never be red with the blood of honest men's reputes, nor salved with m…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:3Psalms 120:3 · The Pulpit CommentarySins of the tongue. "Thou deceitful tongue." Describing this tongue, the psalmist adds, "It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man, as coals of broom." The sin specially in the view of the psalmist is that of the slan…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 120:1-4The psalmist was brought into great distress by a deceitful tongue. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. They forged false charges against him. In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. God can brid…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:1-7In Mesech and Kedar. This psalm is a piteous declaration of the unhappy lot of him who is surrounded by the false, the treacherous, and the cruel. They of Mesech—the Moschi of Herodotus (see Exposition)—dwelt where now…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:1-7The perversion of power, etc. This psalm, though "a difference of opinion exists respecting the interpretation of almost every verse and word of it," may suggest valuable thoughts upon— I. THE PERVERSION OF POWER. It sp…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:1-7EXPOSITION THE SONGS OF ASCENTS. THE next fifteen psalms have a common heading, which is translated "Songs of Degrees," "Songs of Ascents," or "Songs of Steps." They constitute together "a Little Psalter," which contain…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:3Sins of the tongue. "Thou deceitful tongue." Describing this tongue, the psalmist adds, "It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man, as coals of broom." The sin specially in the view of the psalmist is that of the slan…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 120:3The deceitful tongue. "Lips are soft; but when they are lying lips they suck away the life of character, and are as murderous as razors. Lips should never be red with the blood of honest men's reputes, nor salved with m…Joseph S. Exell and contributors