Psalms 120:3
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 120:3
3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
Chapter Context
Psalms 120 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, discipleship, grace. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-7: Development of key themes
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 120:3
3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
Analysis
The psalmist poses a rhetorical question about divine judgment against deceivers: 'What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?' This question anticipates God's judicial response to persistent liars. The interrogative form implies that appropriate punishment exceeds human imagination - God's justice will fit the crime perfectly. The direct address to 'thou false tongue' personifies deceit, treating it as a willful agent deserving judgment. This rhetorical device emphasizes personal responsibility for words spoken. The question format also invites reflection on the seriousness of verbal sin, which often receives less attention than physical violence despite its destructive power.
Historical Context
In ancient Israel's oral culture, where written contracts were rare, a person's word carried legal and social weight. Lying threatened the entire social fabric, making covenantal community life impossible. The question posed here would resonate with a community dependent on trustworthy speech for justice, commerce, and relationships.
Reflection
- Why does the psalmist frame judgment as a question rather than a direct statement?
- What does personifying the 'false tongue' reveal about accountability for speech?
- How seriously do modern Christians take sins of speech compared to other sins?
- What New Testament passages echo this concern about deceitful speech?
- How might this verse inform Christian conduct in an age of social media and instant communication?