What is the meaning of Psalm 55:21? His speech is smooth as butter The psalmist paints a picture of someone whose words sound charming and comforting. On the surface, everything seems friendly and harmless. • Such flattery resembles the seduction described in Proverbs 5:3–4, where “the lips of an adulterous woman drip honey, but her end is bitter as wormwood.” • Jesus warned of leaders who “come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). • Paul also cautioned, “By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive” (Romans 16:18). The emphasis is that pleasant speech alone is not proof of a righteous heart. but war is in his heart Behind the silky words lies hostility and intent to harm. • Psalm 28:3 speaks of those “who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.” • Jeremiah faced “friends” who waited for him to stumble (Jeremiah 18:18). • James points out that envy and selfish ambition inside a person produce “disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:14–16). The verse exposes the contrast between the speaker’s outward charm and inner aggression, urging discernment. His words are softer than oil Oil was a symbol of soothing and healing, so the comparison stresses how gentle and reassuring the conversation appears. • Proverbs 26:23 warns of “fervent lips with an evil heart” likened to earthenware covered with silver dross—attractive but deceptive. • Ezekiel 33:31 describes people who “listen to your words but do not put them into practice; their mouths speak loving words, but their hearts pursue dishonest gain.” • Paul’s reminder in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to “test all things” applies: nice-sounding words must be weighed against godly truth. yet they are swords unsheathed The pleasant words hide weapons ready to strike. • Psalm 57:4 compares tongues to “sharp spears and arrows.” • In Psalm 64:3 enemies “sharpen their tongues like swords.” • Hebrews 4:12 contrasts God’s Word—“sharper than any double-edged sword”—with the destructive verbal weapons of the wicked; God’s sword heals and judges, theirs wounds. The imagery reminds believers that verbal deceit can be as deadly as physical violence. summary Psalm 55:21 exposes the danger of charming speech coming from a treacherous heart. While words may flow like butter or oil—smooth, soft, and reassuring—the true intention can be warfare, with sentences acting like unsheathed swords. Scripture repeatedly warns that outward niceness is no guarantee of inward righteousness. Discernment comes from measuring every word and motive against the unchanging truth of God’s Word, trusting Him to reveal what lies beneath the surface. |
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