Mazmur 12:2-3
Konteks12:2 People lie to one another; 1
they flatter and deceive. 2
12:3 May the Lord cut off 3 all flattering lips,
and the tongue that boasts! 4
Mazmur 55:11-12
Konteks55:11 Disaster is within it;
violence 5 and deceit do not depart from its public square.
55:12 Indeed, 6 it is not an enemy who insults me,
or else I could bear it;
it is not one who hates me who arrogantly taunts me, 7
or else I could hide from him.
[12:2] 1 tn Heb “falsehood they speak, a man with his neighbor.” The imperfect verb forms in v. 2 describe what is typical in the psalmist’s experience.
[12:2] 2 tn Heb “[with] a lip of smoothness, with a heart and a heart they speak.” Speaking a “smooth” word refers to deceptive flattery (cf. Ps 5:9; 55:21; Prov 2:16; 5:3; 7:5, 21; 26:28; 28:23; Isa 30:10). “Heart” here refers to their mind, from which their motives and intentions originate. The repetition of the noun indicates diversity (see GKC 396 §123.f, IBHS 116 §7.2.3c, and Deut 25:13, where the phrase “weight and a weight” refers to two different measuring weights). These people have two different types of “hearts.” Their flattering words seem to express kind motives and intentions, but this outward display does not really reflect their true motives. Their real “heart” is filled with evil thoughts and destructive intentions. The “heart” that is seemingly displayed through their words is far different from the real “heart” they keep disguised. (For the idea see Ps 28:3.) In 1 Chr 12:33 the phrase “without a heart and a heart” means “undivided loyalty.”
[12:3] 3 tn The verb form is a jussive, indicating that the statement is imprecatory (“May the
[12:3] 4 tn Heb “a tongue speaking great [things].”
[55:11] 5 tn Or “injury, harm.”
[55:12] 7 tn Heb “[who] magnifies against me.” See Pss 35:26; 38:16.