Bible/Psalms/55

Psalms 55:21

55:20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. broken: Heb. profaned
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.

KJV

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His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

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 of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. burden: or, gift

What does Psalms 55:21 mean?

Psalms 55:21 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include פֶּה (peh), חָלַק (châlaq), מַחֲמָאָה (machămâʼâh).

Hebrew interlinear

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The
words
of
his
mouthפֶּהpeh/peh/H6310the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
were
smootherחָלַקchâlaq/khaw-lak'/H2505to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
than
butter,מַחֲמָאָהmachămâʼâh/makh-am-aw-aw'/H4260something buttery (i.e. unctuous and pleasant), as (figuratively) flattery
but
warקְרָבqᵉrâb/ker-awb'/H7128hostile encounter
was
in
his
heart:לֵבlêb/labe/H3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
his
wordsדָּבָרdâbâr/daw-baw'/H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
were
softerרָכַךְrâkak/raw-kak'/H7401to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively
than
oil,שֶׁמֶןshemen/sheh'-men/H8081grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
yet
were
they
drawn
swords.פְּתִחָהpᵉthichâh/peth-ee-khaw'/H6609something opened, i.e. a drawn sword

Topics

HypocrisyOilSincerityWords

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 55:21 say?

Psalms 55:21 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is Psalms 55:21 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 55:21 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

Reflect

As you read Psalms 55:21, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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