What is the meaning of Psalm 12:4? They say • “They” speaks of those David earlier described as speaking “with flattering lips and a double heart” (Psalm 12:2). • The opening words expose a mindset that normalizes ungodly speech: what rolls off their tongues is accepted as truth simply because they repeat it (cf. Psalm 10:11; Malachi 3:13). • This is open rebellion, not ignorance; the wicked consciously rally one another around their words, much like the rebels in Genesis 11:4 who said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city.” With our tongues we will prevail • The claim is that sheer rhetoric will secure victory—persuasion, manipulation, and intimidation rather than righteousness (Proverbs 12:18; 26:28). • James 3:5-8 warns that the tongue, though small, “is a fire…setting the course of one’s life on fire.” These boasters delight in that destructive power. • Psalm 73:8-9 echoes the same arrogance: “They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.” • In practical terms, they believe: – clever language will cover sin, – spin will overpower truth, – lies repeated often enough become accepted fact. We own our lips • The boast shifts from what their tongues can accomplish to the supposed sovereignty they hold over them. • Such self-ownership ignores the Creator who fashioned every mouth (Exodus 4:11) and turns “freedom” into bondage (2 Peter 2:19). • Proverbs 16:1 counters the claim: “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.” • Accountability for every word is inevitable (Matthew 12:36); the lips we think we “own” are actually on loan, created for praise, not presumption (Psalm 51:15). Who can be our master? • This rhetorical question is the climax of defiance—an echo of Pharaoh’s “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice?” (Exodus 5:2). • Psalm 2:3 captures the same spirit: “Let us break their chains and cast away their cords.” • The answer Scripture gives is clear: – God’s sovereignty is unassailable (Isaiah 45:9). – Every knee will bow to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:10-11). – Those who will not acknowledge His lordship now will face His judgment later (Revelation 19:15-16). summary Psalm 12:4 unveils the heart of ungodly speech: boastful, manipulative, self-sufficient, and defiantly independent of God. The wicked trust their tongues to secure power, claim ownership of their words, and reject any higher authority. Scripture answers each boast by affirming that God hears, judges, and will ultimately silence every proud tongue, while exalting those who humbly submit their lips—and lives—to Him. |
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