CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 120:3 What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/120-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/19_Psa_120_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 120:3 - In My Distress I Cried to the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/120-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/120-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/120.htm">Chapter 120</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/120-2.htm" title="Psalm 120:2">◄</a> Psalm 120:3 <a href="/psalms/120-4.htm" title="Psalm 120:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/120.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/120.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/120.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you? How will he increase your punishment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/120.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/120.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/120.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/120.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You false tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/120.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What will <i>He</i> give to you, and what more will <i>He</i> do to you, You deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/120.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, You deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/120.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, You deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/120.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What shall He give to you, and what shall He add to you, O deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/120.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, You deceitful tongue?—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/120.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What will he give you, and what will he do to you, you deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/120.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What will He give you, and what will He do to you, you deceitful tongue? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/120.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/120.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />What punishment is fitting for you deceitful liars? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/120.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, thou deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/120.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You deceitful tongue, what can the LORD give you? What more can he do for you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/120.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You liars, what will God do to you? How will he punish you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/120.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What will be given to you, and what will be done to you, you treacherous tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/120.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/120.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />How will he severely punish you, you deceptive talker? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/120.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/120.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What shall be given to thee? or what shall be done to thee, thou false tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/120.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/120.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What does He give to you? And what does He add to you? O deceitful tongue!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/120.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What doth He give to thee? And what doth He add to thee? O deceitful tongue!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/120.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What shall be given to thee? and what shall be added to thee, thou tongue of deceit?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/120.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, to a deceitful tongue. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/120.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 119:3>What will be given to you, or what will be added to you, for a deceitful tongue?:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/120.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What will he inflict on you, O treacherous tongue, and what more besides? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/120.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What shall be given to you? And what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/120.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />What shall be given to you? or what shall be added to you, you deceitful tongues?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/120.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />What will we give to you and what will we add to you, deceitful tongue?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/120.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/120.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What should be given to thee, and what should be added to thee, for <i>thy</i> crafty tongue?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/120-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=16014" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/120.htm">In My Distress I Cried to the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">will He do</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">to you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·mah- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">and what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: yō·sîp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">will be added</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">to you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7423.htm" title="7423: rə·mî·yāh (N-fs) -- Remissness, treachery. From ramah; remissness, treachery.">O deceitful</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: lā·šō·wn (N-cs) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">tongue?</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></span><br />Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a></span><br />Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8</a></span><br />but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-18.htm">Proverbs 26:18-19</a></span><br />Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, / so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31-32</a></span><br />The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Proverbs 15:4</a></span><br />A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a></span><br />But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a></span><br />There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13-14</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-9.htm">Proverbs 11:9</a></span><br />With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What shall be given to you? or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?</p><p class="hdg">what shall, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/27-8.htm">Job 27:8</a></b></br> For what <i>is</i> the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a></b></br> For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/6-21.htm">Romans 6:21</a></b></br> What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things <i>is</i> death.</p><p class="hdg">done.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/115-14.htm">Add</a> <a href="/psalms/71-14.htm">Added</a> <a href="/psalms/73-25.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/psalms/120-2.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/psalms/103-10.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/psalms/120-2.htm">Tongue</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm">Add</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-11.htm">Added</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/psalms/144-8.htm">Deceitful</a> <a href="/psalms/141-5.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/psalms/126-2.htm">Tongue</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 120</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/120-1.htm">David prays against Doeg</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/120-3.htm">Reproves his tongue</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/120-5.htm">Complains of his necessary conversation with the wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/120.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/120.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>What will He do to you</b><br>This phrase raises a rhetorical question, emphasizing the certainty of divine justice. In the context of the Psalms, God is often portrayed as the righteous judge who will address wrongdoing. The psalmist is likely referring to God's response to deceit and falsehood, which are condemned throughout Scripture (<a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a>). The question implies that there will be consequences for deceit, aligning with the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>).<p><b>and what will be added to you</b><br>This part of the verse suggests that there will be additional consequences or punishments for deceit. In biblical times, the concept of recompense was well understood, where actions, especially sinful ones, would lead to divine retribution. The idea of something being "added" could also imply cumulative judgment, as seen in the warnings against persistent sin in the Old Testament (<a href="/leviticus/26-18.htm">Leviticus 26:18-21</a>).<p><b>O deceitful tongue?</b><br>The deceitful tongue is a metaphor for those who spread lies and falsehoods. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, truthfulness was a highly valued virtue, and deceit was seen as a serious offense against both God and community (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>). The tongue, as a symbol of speech, is frequently addressed in Scripture, with <a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-8</a> highlighting its potential for both good and evil. This phrase underscores the moral and spiritual danger of deceit, which is contrary to the nature of God, who is truth (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/psalmist.htm">Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/120.htm">Psalm 120</a>, traditionally attributed to David, who is expressing distress over deceit and falsehood.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/deceitful_tongue.htm">Deceitful Tongue</a></b><br>Represents those who speak lies and falsehoods, causing harm and discord.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The implied subject who will bring justice and retribution to the deceitful tongue.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words have the power to build up or destroy. As Christians, we are called to use our words to edify and speak truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a></b><br>God is aware of deceit and falsehood, and He will bring justice. We can trust Him to deal with those who use their tongues for harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Reflect on our own speech. Are we guilty of deceit or careless words? Repentance and seeking God's help to guard our tongues is crucial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_truthfulness.htm">The Call to Truthfulness</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to be people of truth, reflecting God's character in our speech and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_lies.htm">The Impact of Lies</a></b><br>Lies can cause significant harm to relationships and communities. We must strive to be peacemakers and truth-bearers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_120.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 120</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_judgment_on_deceitful_tongues.htm">Psalm 120:2–3 – Is there archaeological or textual evidence that consistently attributes judgment on “deceitful tongues” in this manner? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_always_strive_with_man.htm">Will God always strive with man? (Genesis 6:3 vs. Psalm 103:9)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_120_4_contradict_god's_love.htm">Psalm 120:4 - Does referring to 'warrior's sharp arrows' and 'burning coals' raise contradictions with a supposedly loving and merciful God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_stance_on_slander.htm">What is the Bible's stance on slander?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/120.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">What shall . . .</span>?--Literally, <span class= "ital">What will he give to thee, </span>and <span class= "ital">what will he add to thee, deceitful tongue</span>? where it is better, as in the Authorised Version, to take the subject as indefinite, and so render by the passive. Thus we get in substance the following question: "What more can be added to thee (<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>in the way of epithet), besides <span class= "ital">lying </span>and <span class= "ital">false, thou deceitful tongue</span>?" the answer is given by suggesting the usual metaphors of malicious speech, "the warrior's sharpened arrows" (<a href="/jeremiah/9-8.htm" title="Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he lays his wait.">Jeremiah 9:8</a>; <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm" title="My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.">Psalm 57:4</a>); "fire" (<a href="/james/3-6.htm" title="And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.">James 3:6</a>). Only here both images are elaborated. For the Hebrew word <span class= "ital">give </span>with the sense of comparison, see <a href="/1_samuel/1-16.htm" title="Count not your handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken till now.">1Samuel 1:16</a>, "Count (Heb., <span class= "ital">give</span>) not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial." Gesenius compares the use of the Greek <span class= "greekheb">???????</span>, instead of <span class= "greekheb">????????</span>. So, too, the word "add" has a similar sense (<a href="/1_kings/10-7.htm" title="However, I believed not the words, until I came, and my eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: your wisdom and prosperity exceeds the fame which I heard.">1Kings 10:7</a>; see margin).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/120.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What shall be given unto thee?</span> rather, what <span class="accented">shall he</span> (<span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. God) <span class="accented">give to thee?</span> Or, in other words - What punishment will God inflict on thee for thy false speaking? Or what shall be done unto thee? literally, <span class="accented">or what shall he add</span> to thee? Compare the common phrase, "God do so unto me, and more also" (<a href="/1_samuel/3-17.htm">1 Samuel 3:17</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/14-44.htm">1 Samuel 14:44</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Thou false tongue</span>. The "false tongue" is apostrophized, as if it were a living person. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/120-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will He do to you,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִּתֵּ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(yit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and what</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַה־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be added</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹּסִ֥יף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·sîp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To add, augment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">O deceitful</span><br /><span class="heb">רְמִיָּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(rə·mî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7423.htm">Strong's 7423: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remissness, treachery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tongue?</span><br /><span class="heb">לָשׁ֥וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(lā·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/120-3.htm">Psalm 120:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/120-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 120:3 What will be given to you (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/120-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 120:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 120:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/120-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 120:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 120:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>