Psalms 55:21
Psalms 55:21 in Multiple Translations
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, but they were sharp swords.
What he says is as smooth as butter, but inside he plans war; his words are as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
The wordes of his mouth were softer then butter, yet warre was in his heart: his words were more gentle then oyle, yet they were swordes.
Sweeter than honey hath been his mouth, And his heart [is] war! Softer have been his words than oil, And they [are] drawn [swords].
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
What he said was easy to listen to, like butter is easy to swallow [MET], but in his inner being he hated people; his words were soothing like olive oil, but they hurt people like sharp swords do [MET].
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 55:21
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 55:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שָׁלַ֣ח
יָ֭דָי/ו
בִּ/שְׁלֹמָ֗י/ו
חִלֵּ֥ל
בְּרִיתֽ/וֹ
שָׁלַ֣ח
shâlach
H7971
to send
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יָ֭דָי/ו
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd | Suff
בִּ/שְׁלֹמָ֗י/ו
shâlôwm
H7965
Peace
Prep | N-mp | Suff
חִלֵּ֥ל
châlal
H2490
to bore
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
בְּרִיתֽ/וֹ
bᵉrîyth
H1285
covenant
N-fs | Suff
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 55:21
שָׁלַ֣ח
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
יָ֭דָי/ו
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
בִּ/שְׁלֹמָ֗י/ו
shâlôwm
H7965
"Peace"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means completeness, wellness, and friendship, and is often used to describe God's relationship with humanity, as seen in the covenant with the Israelites. It encompasses physical and spiritual health, prosperity, and harmony.
Definition: This name means completeness, peace Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 209 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 15:15; Esther 2:11; Psalms 4:9.
חִלֵּ֥ל
châlal
H2490
"to bore"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to profane or begin, like starting something new or breaking a rule. It appears in the Bible when someone disrespects God or a person, like in Ezekiel 22:26. It can also mean to play music or start a project.
Definition: 1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore 1a) (Qal) to pierce 1b) (Pual) to be slain 1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce 1d) (Poal) to be wounded
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound. See also: Genesis 4:26; Ezra 3:8; Psalms 55:21.
בְּרִיתֽ/וֹ
bᵉrîyth
H1285
"covenant"
N-fs | Suff
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 55:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 55:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 55:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 55:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 55:21
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 55:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
- Sermons on Psalms 55:21
Context — Cast Your Burden upon the LORD
19God will hear and humiliate them— the One enthroned for the ages— Selah because they do not change and they have no fear of God.
20My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
21His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. 23But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 57:4 | My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. |
| 2 | 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. |
| 3 | Proverbs 5:3–4 | Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil, in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword. |
| 4 | Proverbs 26:28 | A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. |
| 5 | Psalms 64:3 | who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, |
| 6 | Psalms 12:2 | They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. |
| 7 | Proverbs 26:24–26 | A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. |
| 8 | Proverbs 12:18 | Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. |
| 9 | Luke 20:20–21 | So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. |
| 10 | Psalms 62:4 | They fully intend to cast him down from his lofty perch; they delight in lies; with their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah |
Psalms 55:21 Summary
This verse, Psalms 55:21, describes someone who speaks very nicely but has bad intentions in their heart. It's like they are hiding a sword behind their kind words. This can be a warning to us to be careful who we trust and to pay attention to people's actions, not just their words (as seen in Matthew 7:15-20). We can trust God to help us and protect us from people who might want to hurt us with their words, and remember that He will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalms 55:22).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that 'his speech is smooth as butter' in Psalms 55:21?
This phrase describes someone who speaks in a very pleasant and charming way, but with hidden intentions, much like the warning in Proverbs 26:24-25, where it says 'one who hates disguises himself with his lips'
How can someone's words be 'softer than oil' yet be 'swords unsheathed'?
This contrast highlights the deceptive nature of the person's speech, where their gentle and soothing words are actually meant to harm and cut deeply, similar to the deception described in Psalms 64:3-4
Is this verse talking about a specific person or a type of person?
While the context of Psalms 55 suggests that the writer, possibly King David, is describing a personal experience with a friend or companion who turned against him, the principles described can apply to anyone who uses flattering speech to manipulate or harm others, as seen in Jude 1:16
What can we learn from this verse about relationships and trust?
This verse teaches us to be cautious and discerning in our relationships, not just taking people's words at face value, but also considering their actions and motives, as advised in Matthew 7:15-20
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced or seen others experience the pain of deceitful words or actions in my life or the lives of those around me?
- How can I balance being kind and gracious in my speech with being honest and truthful, especially in difficult conversations?
- In what ways can I trust God to protect and sustain me when faced with the hurtful words or actions of others, as promised in Psalms 55:22?
- What are some practical steps I can take to cultivate discernment and wisdom in my relationships, so I can recognize when someone's words or actions may be deceptive?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 55:21
[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter,.... Such were the words of Ahithophel, when in counsel with David; and such the words of Judas, when he said to Christ, "hail, master", and kissed
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 55:21
As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. -Third strophe. His confident hope, resting upon the grounds stated in the previous prayer. Verse 16,17.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
He covered his treasonable and bloody design with fair and flattering speeches. Drawn swords; pernicious in their design and consequences.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
Psalms 55:21 [The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.Ver. 21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter] Full finely he could soothe and smooth me up, while he was my counsellor, with his pithanology. Mel in ore, verba lactis: Fel in corde, fraus in factis. But war was in his heart] Heb. His heart was war. So in another psalm David saith of himself, "I am peace"; but when I speak of it, they are for war. His words were softer than oil] So were Joab’ s to Amasa; Judas’ s to Christ; Cambyses’ to his brother whom he slew; Andronicus’ s to his nobles, put to death by him, while he wept over them, as if he had been the most sorrowfull man alive. Whereupon the historian crieth out, Oh deep dissimulation and crocodile’ s tears, &c.! The wiser sort deemed Andronicus’ s praisings to be the beginnings of a man’ s disgrace; his bounty, his undoing, and his kindness, his death.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
(21) The words of his mouth.—The ancient versions and the grammatical anomalies point to a corruption of the text. Read, Smoother than butter is his face. The reading face for mouth is suggested by the LXX., though their version has wandered far from the text even thus amended. Drawn swords.—The comparison of the tongue to a sword is frequent; that of the words themselves not so usual, but apt. We may compare Shakespeare’s “I will speak daggers to her, but use none.”—Hamlet.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
Verse 21. Were smoother than butter] He was a complete courtier, and a deep, designing hypocrite besides. His words were as soft as butter, and as smooth as oil, while he meditated war; and the fair words which were intended to deceive, were intended also to destroy: they were drawn swords. This is a literal description of the words and conduct of Absalom, as we learn from the inspired historian, 2 Samuel 15:2, c. He was accustomed to wait at the gate question the persons who came for justice and judgment; throw out broad hints that the king was negligent of the affairs of his kingdom, and had not provided an effective magistracy to administer justice among the people, and added that if he were appointed judge in the land, justice should be done to all. He bowed also to the people, and kissed them; and thus he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. See the passages referred to above.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 55:21
21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter] This rendering, though supported by some of the Ancient Versions and commended by the parallelism (smoother than butter—softer than oil), cannot be got out of the text as it stands. This means literally, Smooth were the buttery words of his mouth. But an easy emendation gives the sense, His mouth [LXX, face] was smoother than butter. Smoothness is the Heb. term for false and hypocritical flattery, as we speak of a ‘smooth-faced’ or ‘smooth-tongued’ rogue. Cp. Psalms 5:9; Psalms 12:2-3. but war was in his heart] R.V., but his heart was war. softer than oil] Cp. “smoother than oil” (Proverbs 5:3), of flattering and delusive speeches. drawn swords] Ready to stab their victim to the heart. Cp. Psalms 52:2, note.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 55:21
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter - Prof. Alexander renders this, “Smooth are the butterings of his mouth.” This is in accordance with the Hebrew, but the general meaning is well expressed in our common version.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 55:21
21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter—It would seem from this verse that Ahithophel had for a long time concealed from David his real purpose of revenge by his courtly address.
Sermons on Psalms 55:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Secret Faults and Presumptuous Sins by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the human tendency to be both praising and accusing God at the same time. He emphasizes the importance of surrendering our unsatisfied desire |
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Are You Keeping Well by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the body as a means of communication with the outside world. He explains that while we can recognize others based on their phys |
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The Secret of Victory by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fully dedicating oneself to God. He shares the story of a preacher who chose to retire and move away when he was diagnosed |
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My Heart Is Fixed by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of praising God and the importance of having a fixed heart. He shares a personal testimony of being healed through praising the Lo |
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Passion Prayer by Stewart Ruch | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story of a family vacation where they faced a perilous situation with their van breaking down. The speaker emphasizes the importance o |
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Run for Your Life by Carter Conlon | This sermon is a passionate call to the church to run for their lives from false teachings, prosperity-driven messages, and immoral practices. The speaker urges believers to dig th |
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Led by the Spirit of God - Part 5 by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of turning to discipline and reproof. He highlights the need for believers to allow the Spirit of God to control their lives |