Psalms 52:4
Psalms 52:4 in Multiple Translations
You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Destruction is in all your words, O false tongue.
You love slanderous words that destroy others, you liar!
Thou louest all wordes that may destroye, O deceitfull tongue!
Thou hast loved all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
All have gone aside, they are become unprofitable together, there is none that doth good, no not one.
You who say things [MTY] to deceive people, you like to say ◄things that hurt people/cruel things►!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 52:4
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 52:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ֭וּוֹת
תַּחְשֹׁ֣ב
לְשׁוֹנֶ֑/ךָ
כְּ/תַ֥עַר
מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
רְמִיָּֽה
הַ֭וּוֹת
havvâh
H1942
desire
N-fp
תַּחְשֹׁ֣ב
châshab
H2803
to devise
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
לְשׁוֹנֶ֑/ךָ
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
N-cs | Suff
כְּ/תַ֥עַר
taʻar
H8593
razor
Prep | N-cs
מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ
lâṭash
H3913
to sharpen
V-Pual-Inf-c
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal
רְמִיָּֽה
rᵉmîyâh
H7423
deceit
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 52:4
הַ֭וּוֹת
havvâh
H1942
"desire"
N-fp
Havvah refers to a strong desire, but often in a bad sense, and can also mean ruin or calamity. It's used to describe something naughty or wicked, like mischief or iniquity. This concept appears in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) desire 1a) desire (in bad sense) 2) chasm (fig. of destruction) 2a) engulfing ruin, destruction, calamity
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous (thing), naughtiness, naughty, noisome, perverse thing, substance, very wickedness. See also: Job 6:2; Psalms 57:2; Psalms 5:10.
תַּחְשֹׁ֣ב
châshab
H2803
"to devise"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.
Definition: : count/regard_as 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. See also: Genesis 15:6; Psalms 35:4; Psalms 10:2.
לְשׁוֹנֶ֑/ךָ
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
N-cs | Suff
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.
כְּ/תַ֥עַר
taʻar
H8593
"razor"
Prep | N-cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a sharp knife or razor, used for shaving or cutting. It also refers to an empty scabbard, a holder for a sword. The word is used in various contexts, including Exodus and 1 Samuel.
Definition: 1) razor, sheath (making naked) 1a) razor 1b) sheath (of sword)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: (pen-) knife, razor, scabbard, shave, sheath. See also: Numbers 6:5; Jeremiah 36:23; Psalms 52:4.
מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ
lâṭash
H3913
"to sharpen"
V-Pual-Inf-c
To sharpen means to hammer out an edge, making something sharper or more effective, as seen in the whetting of a sword. This concept appears in various forms, including instruction and refinement.
Definition: 1) to sharpen, hammer, whet 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hammer 1a2) to sharpen (sword) 1a3) hammerer (participle) 1b) (Pual) to be sharpened
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: instructer, sharp(-en), whet. See also: Genesis 4:22; Job 16:9; Psalms 7:13.
עֹשֵׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
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 52:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 52:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 52:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 52:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 52:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 52:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
- Sermons on Psalms 52:4
Context — Why Do You Boast of Evil?
2Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
3You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah
4You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.
5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin; He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah 6The righteous will see and fear; they will mock the evildoer, saying,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 120:3 | What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue? |
| 2 | James 3:6–9 | The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 22:18–19 | So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. |
Psalms 52:4 Summary
[This verse is talking about someone who loves to say mean and hurtful things, which is the opposite of what God wants us to do. In Proverbs 12:18, it says that reckless words can pierce like a sword, but wise words can bring healing. We should try to use our words to build each other up, not tear each other down, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29-32.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to love every word that devours?
This phrase suggests that the person being addressed has a strong affection for speech that is destructive and hurtful to others, as seen in Psalms 52:4. This is in contrast to the wisdom found in Proverbs 12:18, which warns against the dangers of reckless words.
How does this verse relate to the concept of the tongue in the Bible?
The Bible often warns about the dangers of the tongue, as seen in James 1:26 and James 3:6-10, where it is described as a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil. In Psalms 52:4, the deceitful tongue is specifically highlighted as a source of harm and destruction.
What is the significance of the word 'deceitful' in this verse?
The word 'deceitful' emphasizes the idea that the tongue is not only destructive but also dishonest and manipulative, as seen in Psalms 52:2-3. This kind of speech is condemned throughout the Bible, as in Colossians 3:9-10, where believers are called to put off deceitful speech and put on truthful and honest communication.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of the words we speak and the impact they have on others, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29-32. By choosing to speak words that are truthful, kind, and edifying, we can bring glory to God and build up those around us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I use my words to build up or tear down others, and how can I use my tongue to bring life and encouragement instead of destruction?
- How can I cultivate a love for truthful and honest speech, and what are some practical steps I can take to speak words that are pleasing to God?
- In what ways do I struggle with deceitful or manipulative speech, and how can I seek God's help to overcome these tendencies?
- What are some Bible verses that speak to the power of the tongue, and how can I use these verses to guide my own speech and communication?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 52:4
Thou lovest all devouring words,.... Or "words of swallowing up" (y); such as lies, calumnies, and detractions are, which devour the characters and reputations of men, and are the cause sometimes of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 52:4
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. Thou lovest all devouring words, O ... deceitful tongue - resumed from Psalms 52:2-3, to mark the inner and invariable connection between sin and its penalty.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
Devouring words, such as might swallow up and destroy a whole family at once.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
Psalms 52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O [thou] deceitful tongue.Ver. 4. Thou lovest all devouring words] Verba devoratoria ; the Greek hath it, καταποντισμου, that devour and swallow up, so as the sea doth things cast into it. So elsewhere, their throat is an open sepulchre, which devoureth all bodies, but rendereth none without a miracle. Some render it, Verba voraginis, the words of a whirlpool, which first turns men around, and then sucks them in. Others, Verba absorptionis, in reference to that use of the tongue, which is to sup up dish meats; Sic lingua attrahit homines ita ut absorbeantur, saith Vatablus. The Vulgate hath it, Verba praecipitationis, words that hurl one down headlong, Ex editis aedium vel rupium, as Hilary hath it, from the top of houses, or high rocks. O thou deceitful tongue] Because, although it were for most part truth that he spake, yet he did it maliciously, and by dissimulation passed over that which might have made for Ahimelech, viz. that he relieved David in the simplicity of his heart, as thinking him to be high in the king’ s favour, and employed by him. Hegesippus saith of Pilate, that he was Vir nequam, et parvi faciens mendacium, a naughty man, and one that made no bones of a lie: such another was Doeg (De excid. Jerus. l. 2. c. 5).
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
(4) Devouring words.—Literally, words of swallowing, such as swallow down (comp. Psalms 5:9, where the throat is called “an open sepulchre”) a neighbour’s life, honour, and goods.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 52:4
4. devouring words] Lit., words of swallowing up. Cp. the use of the verb in Psalms 35:25, “We have swallowed him up”: and Psalms 53:4. O thou deceitful tongue] This rendering is certainly preferable to that of the margin, ‘and the deceitful tongue.’ The bold identification of the offender with the offending member is far more vigorous, and perfectly legitimate. Cp. Psalms 120:2-3; Psalms 12:3; 1 Kings 19:18.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 52:4
Thou lovest all devouring words - All words that tend to devour or “swallow up” reputation and happiness.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 52:4
4. All devouring words—Literally, all words that gulp down. Words which swallow a man, as a voracious animal gulps his food without mastication. All such words of falsehood this “hero” in crime and perfidy loved, and none others.
Sermons on Psalms 52:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
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 |
|
Gracious Speech by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power of the tongue and the impact our words can have. He shares a personal experience of how a small spark from his mouth caused fires t |
|
Woe, Lo, and Go - Part 4 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the urgent need for personal cleansing and purity before God, as exemplified by the prophet's cry of being undone and having filthy lips. He highlights |
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1 Timothy 4:12 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker begins by praising God for the many answers to prayer and professions of faith that have occurred through various ministries. He then references the boo |
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Beyond the Surface by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith and the impact it should have on a person's life. He warns against the deception that can come from |
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Poison From the Tongue by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being cautious about the content we consume, particularly videos. He warns against allowing negative influences into our l |
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Tongue Taming by David P. Murray | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the power and impact of our words. He uses various illustrations to emphasize how something small, like a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder |