Psalms 120:3
Psalms 120:3 in Multiple Translations
What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?
What punishment will he give you? what more will he do to you, you false tongue?
What will the Lord do to you, you liars? How will he punish you?
What doeth thy deceitfull tongue bring vnto thee? or what doeth it auaile thee?
What doth He give to thee? And what doth He add to thee? O deceitful tongue!
What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?
What shall be given to thee? or what shall be done to thee, thou false tongue?
May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.
You people who lie to me, I will tell you [RHQ] what God will do to you and what he will do to punish you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 120:3
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 120:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַה
יִּתֵּ֣ן
לְ֭/ךָ
וּ/מַה
יֹּסִ֥יף
לָ֗/ךְ
לָשׁ֥וֹן
רְמִיָּֽה
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
יִּתֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לְ֭/ךָ
Prep | Suff
וּ/מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Conj | Part
יֹּסִ֥יף
yâçaph
H3254
to add
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
לָ֗/ךְ
Prep | Suff
לָשׁ֥וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
N-cs
רְמִיָּֽה
rᵉmîyâh
H7423
deceit
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 120:3
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יִּתֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לְ֭/ךָ
""
Prep | Suff
וּ/מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יֹּסִ֥יף
yâçaph
H3254
"to add"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.
Definition: : add/more[amount] 1) to add, increase, do again 1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to join, join oneself to 1b2) to be joined, be added to 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to add, increase 1c2) to do more, do again
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. See also: Genesis 4:2; 2 Samuel 19:14; Psalms 10:18.
לָ֗/ךְ
""
Prep | Suff
לָשׁ֥וֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
N-cs
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
רְמִיָּֽה
rᵉmîyâh
H7423
"deceit"
N-fs
Remiyah refers to slackness or deceit, describing someone who is idle or treacherous, as seen in various KJV translations. It implies a lack of effort or loyalty.
Definition: deceit, treachery
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: deceit(-ful, -fully), false, guile, idle, slack, slothful. See also: Job 13:7; Psalms 120:3; Psalms 32:2.
Study Notes — Psalms 120:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 120:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 120:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 120:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 120:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 120:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
- Sermons on Psalms 120:3
Context — In My Distress I Cried to the LORD
1In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.
2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.
3What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?
4Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree! 5Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 27:8 | For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? |
| 2 | Matthew 16:26 | What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? |
| 3 | Romans 6:21 | What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death. |
Psalms 120:3 Summary
This verse is asking what God will do to people who lie and deceive others with their words. The Bible teaches that God hates dishonesty and will punish those who speak deceitfully, as seen in Psalms 119:104 and Proverbs 6:16-19. We can learn from this verse that it's essential to speak the truth and be honest in all our interactions, just like it says in Ephesians 4:25. By speaking truthfully and kindly, we can build up and encourage others, rather than tearing them down with our words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'deceitful tongue' in Psalms 120:3?
The phrase 'deceitful tongue' refers to speech that is dishonest, manipulative, and harmful to others, as seen in Psalms 52:4 and Proverbs 12:18, where the Bible warns against the dangers of deceitful words.
Why does the psalmist ask what will be done to the deceitful tongue?
The psalmist is expressing a desire for God to judge and punish those who speak deceitfully, as seen in Psalms 119:113, where the psalmist asks God to protect him from wicked and deceitful people.
How does this verse relate to the previous verse, which asks for deliverance from lying lips and a deceitful tongue?
This verse is a continuation of the psalmist's prayer for deliverance, where he is now asking what consequences will come upon those who speak deceitfully, as seen in Psalms 120:2, which asks for deliverance from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.
What can we learn from this verse about the importance of honest speech?
This verse teaches us that honest speech is essential, and that God will judge those who speak deceitfully, as seen in Ephesians 4:25, where the Bible instructs us to speak the truth in love, and in Colossians 3:9-10, where we are told to put away deceitful speech and speak truthfully.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be guilty of using deceitful speech, and how can I repent and ask for God's forgiveness?
- How can I trust God to deliver me from the harm caused by deceitful people, and what does this teach me about His character?
- What are some practical ways that I can cultivate honest and truthful speech in my daily life, and how can I be a positive influence on those around me?
- In what ways can I use my words to build up and encourage others, rather than tearing them down with deceitful speech?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 120:3
What shall be given unto thee?.... Or, "what shall [it] give unto thee?" (s) That is, what shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee, O my soul? or to thee, to anyone that hears and reads this psalm?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 120:3
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? - literally, 'What shall (He, the Lord) give unto thee?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
What shall be given unto thee, whosoever thou art who art guilty of these practices? He applies himself severally to the consciences of every one of them. Or he designs Doeg or some other person in Saul’ s court eminent for this wickedness. The sense may be this, It is true, thou dost me some mischief; but what benefit dost thou get by it, if all thy accounts be cast up? For although thou mayst thereby obtain some favour and advantage from Saul, yet thou wilt assuredly bring upon thyself the curse and vengeance of God; and then thou wilt be no gainer by the bargain. And to do mischief to another without benefit to thyself, is an inhuman and diabolical wickedness.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
Psalms 120:3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?Ver. 3. What shall be given unto thee? &c.] That is (as Austin senseth it), what remedy is there for thee? q.d. None at all. Contra sycophantarum morsum non est remedium, saith Seneca. But others better, what gain gettest thou what profit makest thou of thy lying and slandering? Hurt thou mayest another, but not help thyself. Thou art not like the maid whom Avicen speaketh of, who feeding herself with poison, was herself healthy, yet infected others with her venomous breath; but rather like the traitor of whom Augustus said, I like the treason, but hate the traitor. The slander is oft applauded when the slanderer is abhorred. Or what shall be done unto thee, &c.] Heb. added; Nihil praeter plagas durissimas, as Psalms 120:4. Thou false tongue?] This he seemeth to say to Doeg, who is here called a false fellow and a liar, though he spake but the truth against the Lord’ s priests, because not for any love to the truth, nor for respect of justice, nor of the bettering either of Saul or the priests, but only to prejudice these and to incense the other.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
(3) What shall . . .?—Literally, What will he give to thee, and what will he add to thee, deceitful tongue? where it is better, as in the Authorised Version, to take the subject as indefinite, and so render by the passive. Thus we get in substance the following question: “What more can be added to thee (i.e., in the way of epithet), besides lying and false, thou deceitful tongue?” the answer is given by suggesting the usual metaphors of malicious speech, “the warrior’s sharpened arrows” (Jeremiah 9:8; Psalms 57:4); “fire” (James 3:6). Only here both images are elaborated. For the Hebrew word give with the sense of comparison, see 1 Samuel 1:16, “Count (Heb., give) not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial.” Gesenius compares the use of the Greek τιθένμι, instead of νομίζειν. So, too, the word “add” has a similar sense (1 Kings 10:7; see margin).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
Verse 3. What shall be given unto thee?] Thou art worthy of the heaviest punishments.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 120:3
2–4. The earnestness of the prayer and the severity of the condemnation point to a person or a party, fomenting feud and strife in the community by calumny and false accusations, and resolutely refusing all attempts to promote harmony.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 120:3
What shall be given unto thee? - Margin, “What shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee;” or, “what shall it profit thee?” Luther, “What can the false tongue do?” Others render this, “How will God
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 120:3
3. What shall be given… thee—It is more natural and consistent to take this grammatically obscure verse as an address to the tongue of guile: “What shall be given thee?” or rather, “What shall he
Sermons on Psalms 120:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Exposition on Psalm 121 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the importance of seeking help from God, emphasizing that our help comes from Him and His fullness. He urges believers to pray for guidance and protection |
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The Hypocrite's Hope by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the futility of the hypocrite's hope, warning that those who live in sin and presume upon God's grace without true repentance face dire consequences. He ci |
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The Objects, Grounds, and Evidences of the Hope of the Righteous by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches about the objects, grounds, and evidences of the hope of the righteous in contrast to the despair of the wicked in death. He emphasizes the importance of hav |
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Gain and Loss for Eternity. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes the stark contrast between the eternal gains of the godly and the irrevocable losses of the ungodly, as illustrated in Job 27:8. He warns that while the u |
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The Hope of the Hypocrite by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the characteristics of a hypocrite as seen in the book of Job, emphasizing the importance of true delight in the Almighty and continual calling upon God |
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Where Is the Fire? by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young man who came to his office. The young man had been in Nicaragua and witnessed the power of God there. He tells the speaker |
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"Dow Jones and Revival" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the importance of Christians prioritizing the kingdom of God over worldly concerns, drawing a parallel between the focus on financial markets like the Dow Jo |