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Psalms 12:4

Words and speechPride

2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.

They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”

5 “For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

6 The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”
KJV
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
WEB
who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”
ASV
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
DARBY
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail, our lips are our own: who [is] lord over us?
BLB
those who have said, “By our tongues we will prevail; our lips [are] with us; who [is] lord over us?”
ÅB
som sier: «Ved tungen skal vi få overhånd,
leppene våre er med oss, hvem er herre over oss?»
OTB
de som har sagt: "Med våre ord skal vi lykkes;
våre lepper tilhører oss; hvem kan være herre over oss?"
B1930
dem som sier: Ved vår tunge skal vi få overhånd, våre leber er med oss, hvem er herre over oss?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • James 3:5–6

    In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

    Read in context

  • Job 21:14–15

    Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.

    Read in context

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4

    He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 5:2

    But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 18:18

    Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

    Read in context

  • Daniel 3:15

    Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 2:31

    You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?

    Read in context

  • Genesis 3:5

    “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

    Read in context