Psalms 12:3
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
Psalms 12:3 (KJV)
Context
Psalm 12 is a lament attributed to David. He cries out because deceitful speech has become common in society. The psalmist pleads for God to act against those who use words to harm others. This verse names two specific sins of the tongue.
Meaning
“Flattering lips” are words that are smooth but false. People use flattery to manipulate others for personal gain. “The tongue that speaketh proud things” refers to arrogant speech that exalts oneself and treats others with contempt. Such words claim self-sufficiency and independence from God. The phrase “The Lord shall cut off” is a promise of divine judgment. God will silence these deceitful speakers and end their harmful influence. Jewish commentators Aben Ezra and Kimchi understood this as God’s judgment in this life or everlasting punishment in the life to come. The Targum paraphrases it as taking them away “out of the world,” showing the certainty of God’s action.
Biblical connections
The immediate context shows the problem clearly. Psalm 12:2 describes people who speak vanity with flattering lips and a double heart. Psalm 12:4 records the proud tongue’s words: “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” This reveals the arrogant self-reliance that God opposes. In contrast, Psalm 12:6 says the words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace. Human words are unreliable, but God’s words are trustworthy. The psalm assures believers that God hears the cries of the afflicted and will act against the wicked.
Application
This verse calls us to examine our own speech. Do we flatter others to get what we want? Do we speak proudly, as if we need no one, not even God? We are to speak truth in love and build others up. We can also trust God to bring justice. We do not need to take vengeance ourselves; God hears the cries of the afflicted and will act against the wicked. This assurance frees us from bitterness and revenge. It also encourages us to pray for those who use deceitful speech, that they may repent and be transformed by His grace.
Pray for wisdom to recognize flattery in our own words and in the words of others.
Ask God to convict those who use deceitful speech, that they may repent and be transformed by His grace.
Meditate on the purity of God’s words, and let them shape how we speak.
Reflection
Only God can truly “cut off” the sinful patterns of speech from our lives. His grace transforms our hearts, so our words become honest and humble. As we trust His judgment, we can speak with integrity and leave the final outcome to Him.
