Psalms 55:21

What he said was easy to listen to, like butter is easy to swallow [MET], but in his inner being he hated people; his words were soothing like olive oil, but they hurt people like sharp swords do [MET].

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

20My companion, whom I mentioned previously, betrayed his friends and broke the agreement that he made with them.

22Put your troubles in Yahweh’s hands, and he will take care of you; he will never allow righteous people to experience disasters.

Read all of Psalms 55

Cross References

2 Samuel 16:19You are my master King David’s son; if I do not serve you, what other man should I serve [RHQ]? I will serve you as I served your father.”

Psalms 12:2Everyone tells lies to other people; they deceive others by ◄flattering them/saying good things about them that they know are not true►.

Psalms 57:4Sometimes I am surrounded by my enemies who are like lions that kill humans; they are like lions that chew with their teeth animals that they kill; but my enemies have spears and arrows, not teeth; and the false things that they say [MTY] hurt people as much as sharp swords hurt people [MET].

Psalms 62:4My enemies plan to remove me from my important position so that people no longer honor me. They delight in telling lies. They bless people by what they say [MTY], but in their inner beings they curse those people. (Think about that!)

Proverbs 5:3What an immoral woman says to you may be as sweet as honey, and sound smoother than olive oil feels on your skin,

Proverbs 26:24Those who hate someone and are saying [MTY] something very different from what they are thinking are hypocrites; they are only planning to harm that person.

Matthew Henry on Psalms 55:17-23

Confidence in God. 16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21 The… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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