Psalms 12:4
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לִלְשֹׁנֵ֣נוּ
With our tongue
H3956
לִלְשֹׁנֵ֣נוּ
With our tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
3 of 9
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
נַ֭גְבִּיר
will we prevail
H1396
נַ֭גְבִּיר
will we prevail
Strong's:
H1396
Word #:
4 of 9
to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
שְׂפָתֵ֣ינוּ
our lips
H8193
שְׂפָתֵ֣ינוּ
our lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
5 of 9
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
אִתָּ֑נוּ
H853
אִתָּ֑נוּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִ֖י
H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
7 of 9
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Cross References
Exodus 5:2And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.2 Thessalonians 2:4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.Jeremiah 2:31O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?Jeremiah 18:18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
Historical Context
Reflects the attitude of powerful figures in Israel who used their position and eloquence for self-advancement, denying accountability to God or king.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life do you subtly claim 'no one is lord over me'?
- How does acknowledging God's lordship transform your use of words?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked claim autonomy: 'our lips are our own—who is lord over us?' This is the essence of human rebellion—asserting self-sovereignty. The Hebrew 'adon' (lord/master) indicates ownership and authority. This anticipates Romans 1's description of exchanging truth for a lie and refusing to acknowledge God (Romans 1:25, 28). Reformed theology identifies this as the root sin: autonomy replacing theonomy.