Psalms 12:2
Psalms 12:2 in Multiple Translations
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor: With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.
Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.
Everyone lies to their neighbors. They flatter with nice talk, but they don't mean what they say.
They speake deceitfully euery one with his neighbour, flattering with their lips, and speake with a double heart.
Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.
Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
How long shall I take counsels in my soul, sorrow in my heart all the day?
Everyone tells lies to other people; they deceive others by ◄flattering them/saying good things about them that they know are not true►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 12:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 12:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הוֹשִׁ֣יעָ/ה
יְ֭הוָה
כִּי
גָמַ֣ר
חָסִ֑יד
כִּי
פַ֥סּוּ
אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים
מִ/בְּנֵ֥י
אָדָֽם
הוֹשִׁ֣יעָ/ה
yâshaʻ
H3467
to save
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
גָמַ֣ר
gâmar
H1584
to cease
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
חָסִ֑יד
châçîyd
H2623
pious
Adj
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
פַ֥סּוּ
pâçaç
H6461
to disappear
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים
ʼâman
H539
be faithful
Adj
מִ/בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp
אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 12:2
הוֹשִׁ֣יעָ/ה
yâshaʻ
H3467
"to save"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
Means to save or be delivered, used in the Bible to describe being freed from danger or trouble, like in battle or from moral struggles, as seen in the Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to save, be saved, be delivered 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered 1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to save, deliver 1b2) to save from moral troubles 1b3) to give victory to
Usage: Occurs in 198 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. See also: Exodus 2:17; Psalms 55:17; Psalms 3:8.
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
גָמַ֣ר
gâmar
H1584
"to cease"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To cease or come to an end is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, which can also mean to complete or fail. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in the KJV as 'cease' or 'come to an end'.
Definition: 1) to end, come to an end, complete, cease 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to come to an end, be no more 1a2) to bring to an end, complete 2) (TWOT) to fail, perfect, perform Aramaic equivalent: ge.mar (גְּמַר "to complete" H1585)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: cease, come to an end, fail, perfect, perform. See also: Psalms 7:10; Psalms 57:3; Psalms 12:2.
חָסִ֑יד
châçîyd
H2623
"pious"
Adj
A pious person is someone who is kind and faithful to God, like a saint. In the Bible, it describes people who are holy and merciful, such as in Psalms and Proverbs. This concept is important in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) faithful, kind, godly, holy one, saint, pious 1a) kind 1b) pious, godly 1c) faithful ones (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-) godly. See also: Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalms 85:9; Psalms 4:4.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
פַ֥סּוּ
pâçaç
H6461
"to disappear"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To disappear means to vanish or cease to exist, like in Exodus 7:12 where Pharaoh's magicians could not make their staffs disappear. It describes something that is no longer seen or present.
Definition: 1) to disappear, vanish, cease, fail 1a) (Qal) to vanish
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: cease. See also: Psalms 12:2.
אֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים
ʼâman
H539
"be faithful"
Adj
This Hebrew word means to be faithful or trustworthy, as seen in the KJV translations. It can also mean to support or confirm something, and is used in passages like Psalm 37:3 to describe trusting in God. The concept of faithfulness is central to the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to support, confirm, be faithful 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish 1a1a) foster-father (subst.) 1a1b) foster-mother, nurse 1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm 1b1a) to be carried by a nurse 1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting 1b1c) confirmed, established, sure 1b1d) verified, confirmed 1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in 1c1a) stand firm 1c1b) trust, believe Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, [phrase] fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right. See also: Genesis 15:6; Job 24:22; Psalms 12:2.
מִ/בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 12:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 12:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 12:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 12:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 12:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 12:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
- Sermons on Psalms 12:2
Context — The Godly Are No More
1Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.
2They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue. 4They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 16:18 | For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 9:8 | Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. |
| 3 | Psalms 41:6 | My visitor speaks falsehood; he gathers slander in his heart; he goes out and spreads it abroad. |
| 4 | Psalms 5:9 | For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. |
| 5 | Psalms 10:7 | His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue. |
| 6 | Psalms 144:8 | whose mouths speak falsehood, whose right hands are deceitful. |
| 7 | James 1:8 | He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. |
| 8 | Psalms 28:3 | Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts. |
| 9 | Psalms 52:1–4 | Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue. |
| 10 | 1 Thessalonians 2:5 | As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! |
Psalms 12:2 Summary
[This verse is talking about people who are not honest with each other, but instead use nice-sounding words to manipulate or deceive. They say one thing, but mean another, which is what is meant by 'a double heart'. As seen in Psalms 12:2, this kind of behavior is not pleasing to God, and as warned in Proverbs 12:22, the Lord detests lying lips. We should strive to be truthful and sincere in all our interactions, just like God is truthful and faithful, as described in Psalms 119:160.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to speak with flattering lips?
Speaking with flattering lips means to use words that are insincere and overly complimentary, often to manipulate or deceive others, as seen in Psalms 12:2 and also in Proverbs 26:28 where it warns against flattering words that can lead to ruin.
What is a double heart?
A double heart refers to a person who says one thing but means another, being deceitful and insincere in their intentions, similar to what is described in Psalms 12:2 and also warned against in Matthew 6:24 where Jesus teaches about the impossibility of serving two masters.
Why do people lie to one another?
People lie to one another for various reasons, including fear, self-protection, or to achieve personal gain, but as seen in Psalms 12:2 and supported by Revelation 21:8, lying is considered a serious sin that can have eternal consequences.
How can we avoid being deceitful in our own words and actions?
To avoid being deceitful, we must strive to be honest and truthful in all our interactions, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:25, and seek to have a pure heart, as described in Matthew 5:8, by relying on God's grace and guidance in our lives.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I use flattering words or actions to manipulate others, and how can I change this behavior to be more honest and sincere?
- How can I develop a pure heart that seeks to please God in all my interactions, and what steps can I take to avoid being deceitful in my words and actions?
- What are some common lies or half-truths that I tell myself or others, and how can I replace these with the truth of God's Word?
- In what ways can I be more intentional about speaking the truth in love, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:15, and how can I balance honesty with kindness and compassion?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 12:2
They speak vanity everyone with his neighbour,.... That which is false and a lie, either doctrinal or practical; what was not according to the word of God, and was vain and empty, frothy, filthy, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. They speak vanity - i:e., falsehood: speech that holds out hopes doomed to disappointment: nothingness [ shaaw' (H7723)].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
Vanity; or, falsehood, which is a vain thing, and wants the solidity of truth. With a double heart; pretending one heart, and that they speak from a kind and upright heart, when they really have another, even a cruel and deceitful heart.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
Psalms 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.Ver. 2. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour] They speak falsely and fraudulently, and therein have an art, as Jeremiah 9:4-5, such as the devil hath taught them. With flattering lips] Blandientibus, vel dividentibus. The Syriac version hath it, with dividing lips, such as separate very friends. With a double heart do theft speak] Heb. With a heart and a heart. So Horace saith of Ulysses (Ode. 6, Animus versutulus et versatilis). Cursus doplicis per mare Ulyssei. The prophet here meaneth that they had one heart in their body, and another in their mouth, being desperate dissemblers, such as the French are said to be. Those men of Zebulun were none such, 1 Chronicles 12:33.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
(2) Vanity.—So in Psalms 41:6 and Job 35:13. Literally, evil. “Falsehood” would be better. This verse may have been in St Paul’s mind (Ephesians 4:25). Flattering lips.—Literally, lips of smoothness, (Comp. Note, Psalms 5:9.) With a double heart.—Literally, with a heart and a heart. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:33.) “One for the Church, another for the Change; one for Sundays, another for working-days; one for the king, another for the Pope. A man without a heart is a wonder, but a man with two hearts is a monster.”—Thos. Adams, A.D. 1614.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
Verse 2. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour] They are false and hollow; they say one thing while they mean another; there is no trusting to what they say. Flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak] בלב ולב beleb valeb, "With a heart and a heart." They seem to have two hearts; one to speak fair words, and the other to invent mischief. The old MS. both translates and paraphrases curiously. Trans. Dayn spak ilkan til his neghbur: swykil lippis in hert, and thurgh hert thai spak. Par. - Sothfastnes es lessed, and falsed waxes: and al sa vayn spak ilkone to bygyle his neghbur: and many spendes thair tyme in vayne speche withoutyn profyte and gastely frute. And that er swyku lippis; that er jangelers berkand ogaynes sothfastnes. And swykel, for thai speke in hert and thurgh hert; that es in dubil hert, qwen a fals man thynkes ane, and sais another, to desaif hym that he spekes with. This homely comment cannot be mended.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 12:2
2. Hypocrisy and duplicity are universal. Men’s words are vanity, or falsehood, hollow and unreal. Their flatteries come from ‘a double heart,’ lit. a heart and a heart, which thinks one thing and utters another, and has no constancy or consistency, but thinks one thing today and another thing tomorrow. Cp. Proverbs 26:24 ff. For the opposite see 1 Chronicles 12:33; 1 Chronicles 12:38.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 12:2
They speak vanity - This is a statement of the “manner” in which the “godly” and the “faithful” fail, as stated in Psalms 12:1.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 12:2
2. They speak vanity—That is, emptiness; their words are devoid of meaning, because they do not truly represent any thing, the speaker having no intention of fulfilling what is promised, or of stating things as they really exist.
Sermons on Psalms 12:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Importance of Our Speech by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of controlling the tongue and being filled with the Holy Spirit. It highlights how the tongue can either be a source of life or a sou |
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Epistle 187 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about dwelling in the love of God together to be built up, warning against enmity, discord, and worldly wisdom that lead to disobedience and questioning. He emp |
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Under Sin by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of sin on the human mind and its ability to comprehend spiritual matters. He highlights the irony of highly intelligent individuals |
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In My Flesh Shall I See God by C.H. Spurgeon | The preacher delves into the significance of the Greek word 'taphos,' often used in the New Testament to refer to literal burial places but also figuratively by Paul to describe de |
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Bearing the Rod by A.W. Pink | The preacher delves into the concept of cursing, originally meaning a wish or prayer for harm, but evolving into an invocation of evil upon another. Cursing involves expressing a d |
|
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A Divided Heart by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon addresses the issue of a divided heart, emphasizing that such a condition leads to spiritual faultiness both individually and within the church. He warns that a divid |
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Against the Flow by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of preaching in a public setting and facing disdain and mockery when he mentioned God and Jesus. He draws a parallel to the story |