What is the meaning of Psalm 120:3? What will He do to you - The psalmist speaks of the LORD Himself as the One who responds to lies. “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19), so the poet places the slanderer squarely before God’s justice. - God’s action is personal and purposeful—He does not overlook deceit (Psalm 101:7). - The rhetorical wording heightens certainty: judgment is not in doubt; only the details wait to unfold, just as Jesus affirmed that “people will give an account for every careless word” (Matthew 12:36). - Behind the line stands the comfort that believers need not take revenge (1 Peter 2:23); the Almighty will act. and what will be added to you - The thought of “adding” speaks of compounded consequences. False speech piles up guilt the way interest accrues on debt (Romans 2:5). - Scripture pictures escalating retribution for persistent sin: “May burning coals fall on them” (Psalm 140:10) and “plagues… will be added” (Revelation 22:18). - The point is not mere earthly backlash but divine augmentation of penalty—just as the LORD promised to “refine and test” a deceitful people (Jeremiah 9:7). - In everyday terms, lying never stays static; it attracts further discipline, broken trust, and ultimately eternal loss (Proverbs 19:9). O deceitful tongue - The focus narrows to the instrument of sin: the tongue that misleads. Psalm 120’s writer has endured malicious talk, echoing earlier laments about “your tongue plots destruction” (Psalm 52:2–4). - Scripture warns that the tongue “is a fire” (James 3:6), spreading damage to relationships, reputations, and souls. - God labels such speech an abomination (Proverbs 6:16-17) and includes all liars among those heading for “the lake that burns with fire” (Revelation 21:8). - By targeting the tongue, the verse underlines responsibility: words are not accidents but moral choices flowing from the heart (Luke 6:45). summary Psalm 120:3 assures believers that God Himself will decisively answer deceit. He will act (“What will He do”), intensify judgment as needed (“what will be added”), and hold the lying tongue personally accountable (“O deceitful tongue”). The verse offers both warning to the dishonest and comfort to the slandered: the LORD sees, remembers, and will deal righteously with every word spoken. |
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