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Psalm 12:2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
<!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 12:2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/12-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/19_Psa_012_002.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 12:2 - The Godly are No More" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart." /><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'; 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they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: <i>with</i> flattering lips <i>and</i> with a double heart do they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; <i>With</i> flattering lips <i>and</i> a double heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They speak lies to one another; They speak with flattering lips and a double heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They speak worthlessness to one another; With a flattering lip and with a double heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They speak deceitful <i>and</i> worthless words to one another; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor: With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Everyone tells lies, and no one is sincere. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All people speak foolishly. They speak with flattering lips. They say one thing but mean another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />All of them lie to one another; they deceive each other with flattery. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Everyone speaks lies to his neighbor; they speak with flattering lips and hidden motives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />People lie to one another; they flatter and deceive. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They each speak vanity with his neighbor, "" Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Vanity they speak each with his neighbour, Lip of flattery! With heart and heart they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will speak vanity each with his neighbor: smooth lips, with a heart and a heart will they speak.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They have spoken vain things every one to his neighbour: with deceitful lips, and with a double heart have they spoken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 11:3>They have been speaking emptiness, each one to his neighbor; they have been speaking with deceitful lips and a duplicitous heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They tell lies to one another, speak with deceiving lips and a double heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They utter lies to each other; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Men speak vanity, every one with his neighbour; with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The children of men speak emptiness, and a man with his neighbor with duplicitous lips; they speak with a double heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They speak falsehood every one with his neighbour; With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Every one has spoken vanity to his neighbour: their lips are deceitful, they have spoken with a double heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/12-2.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=1042" 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/12.htm">The Godly are No More</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Help, O LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7723.htm" title="7723: šāw (N-ms) -- Or shav; from the same as show' in the sense of desolating; evil, literally or morally; figuratively idolatry, uselessness.">They lie</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: yə·ḏab·bə·rū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue."></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">another;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: yə·ḏab·bê·rū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">they speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/2513.htm" title="2513: ḥă·lā·qō·wṯ (Adj-mp) -- Smoothness, flattery, an allotment. Feminine of cheleq; properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery; also an allotment.">with flattering</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄aṯ (N-fsc) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">lips</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: bə·lêḇ (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">and a double</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: wā·lêḇ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">heart.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.…<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="/proverbs/26-24.htm">Proverbs 26:24-26</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-8.htm">Jeremiah 9:8</a></span><br />Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8</a></span><br />‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-10.htm">James 3:10</a></span><br />Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Romans 16:18</a></span><br />For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.<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="/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="/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4-5</a></span><br />“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Ephesians 4:25</a></span><br />Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Proverbs 10:18</a></span><br />The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a></span><br />For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-9.htm">Colossians 3:9</a></span><br />Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.</p><p class="hdg">They</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Psalm 10:7</a></b></br> His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue <i>is</i> mischief and vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3,4</a></b></br> The words of his mouth <i>are</i> iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, <i>and</i> to do good… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Psalm 38:12</a></b></br> They also that seek after my life lay snares <i>for me</i>: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.</p><p class="hdg">flattering</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a></b></br> For <i>there is</i> no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part <i>is</i> very wickedness; their throat <i>is</i> an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/28-3.htm">Psalm 28:3</a></b></br> Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief <i>is</i> in their hearts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/62-4.htm">Psalm 62:4</a></b></br> They only consult to cast <i>him</i> down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.</p><p class="hdg">a double heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/12-33.htm">1 Chronicles 12:33</a></b></br> Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: <i>they were</i> not of double heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8</a></b></br> A double minded man <i>is</i> unstable in all his ways.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">Deception</a> <a href="/job/42-10.htm">Double</a> <a href="/psalms/5-6.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/7-14.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/job/32-22.htm">Flattering</a> <a href="/job/32-22.htm">Flattery</a> <a href="/psalms/11-6.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/10-17.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/job/16-21.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/job/31-9.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Smooth</a> <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/job/41-12.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-4.htm">Utters</a> <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/17-1.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Deception</a> <a href="/psalms/119-113.htm">Double</a> <a href="/psalms/18-44.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/24-4.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/psalms/12-3.htm">Flattering</a> <a href="/psalms/12-3.htm">Flattery</a> <a href="/psalms/16-9.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/13-2.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/psalms/40-4.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/psalms/12-3.htm">Smooth</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/psalms/35-28.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/psalms/12-4.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/psalms/37-30.htm">Utters</a> <a href="/psalms/24-4.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/psalms/12-6.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">David, destitute of human comfort, craves help of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/12-3.htm">He comforts himself with God's promises, and his judgments on 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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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/12.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/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They lie to one another;</b><br>This phrase highlights the prevalence of deceit among people, reflecting a society where truth is compromised. Biblically, lying is condemned as it goes against the nature of God, who is truth (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>). The context of this psalm suggests a time of moral decline, possibly during David's reign when he faced betrayal and falsehood from those around him. The act of lying is often associated with the influence of Satan, the "father of lies" (<a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a>), indicating a spiritual battle against truth.<p><b>they speak with flattering lips</b><br>Flattery is insincere praise, often used to manipulate or gain favor. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, flattery was a common tactic in political and social interactions, but it was viewed negatively in the biblical context. <a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">Proverbs 26:28</a> warns against the dangers of a flattering mouth, as it can lead to ruin. Flattery contrasts with the biblical call for honesty and integrity in speech (<a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Ephesians 4:25</a>). This behavior reflects a heart not aligned with God's truth, as genuine love and respect do not require deceitful words.<p><b>and a double heart.</b><br>A "double heart" suggests duplicity and inconsistency in one's intentions and actions. Biblically, a divided heart is unstable and untrustworthy (<a href="/james/1-8.htm">James 1:8</a>). This phrase implies a lack of sincerity and commitment to truth, as individuals may present one face while harboring different motives. The call for a pure heart is echoed throughout scripture, as seen in <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a>, where David asks God to create a clean heart within him. A double heart is contrary to the wholehearted devotion God desires from His people (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/12.htm">Psalm 12</a>, David is expressing his lament over the deceitfulness and corruption he observes in society.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_faithful.htm">The Faithful</a></b><br>The psalm contrasts the faithful, who are disappearing, with the deceitful, who are prevalent.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>Those who speak with flattering lips and a double heart, representing the moral decay in society.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and protector of the faithful, who hears the cries of the oppressed.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_oppressed.htm">The Oppressed</a></b><br>Those who suffer under the deceit and lies of the wicked, whom God promises to protect.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_deceitful_speech.htm">The Danger of Deceitful Speech</a></b><br>Deceitful speech is a reflection of a corrupt heart. As believers, we must guard our hearts and ensure our words align with truth and integrity.<br><br><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. We should strive to use our speech to edify others and glorify God, avoiding flattery and deceit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_awareness_and_justice.htm">God's Awareness and Justice</a></b><br>God is aware of the deceit and injustice in the world. He hears the cries of the oppressed and will act in His perfect timing to bring justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_authenticity.htm">The Call to Authenticity</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to live authentically, with sincerity in our hearts and truth on our lips, reflecting the character of Christ in all we do.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_flattery.htm">What is the Bible's view on flattery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doubt_david's_authorship_of_psalm_12.htm">If Psalm 12 is attributed to David, why do some scholars question its historical context and doubt Davidic authorship based on linguistic and stylistic factors?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_gain_wisdom_to_number_days.htm">How can we gain wisdom to number our days?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_12_1-2_reflect_israel's_history.htm">Does the contrast in Psalm 12:1-2 between a faithful few and a deceitful majority align with historical evidence of Israel's religious practices at the time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Vanity.</span>--So in <a href="/psalms/41-6.htm" title="And if he come to see me, he speaks vanity: his heart gathers iniquity to itself; when he goes abroad, he tells it.">Psalm 41:6</a> and <a href="/job/35-13.htm" title="Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.">Job 35:13</a>. Literally, <span class= "ital">evil. </span>"Falsehood" would be better. This verse may have been in St Paul's mind (<a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm" title="Why putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.">Ephesians 4:25</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Flattering lips.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">lips of smoothness, </span>(Comp. Note, <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm" title="For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue.">Psalm 5:9</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">With a double heart.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">with a heart and a heart. </span>(Comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/12-33.htm" title="Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.">1Chronicles 12:33</a>.) "One for the Church, another for the Change; one for Sundays, another for working-days; one for the king, another for the Pope. A man without a heart is a wonder, but a man with two hearts is a monster."--<span class= "ital">Thos. Adams, </span>A.D. 1614. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They speak vanity every one with his neighbour</span>; rather, <span class="accented">they speak falsehood</span> (Kay, Cheyne). Contrast the injunction of the apostle (<a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Ephesians 4:25</a>). With flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak; literally, <span class="accented">with lips of smoothness</span>, <span class="accented">and with a heart and a heart do they speak.</span> The Authorized Version gives the true meaning (comp. <a href="/1_chronicles/12-33.htm">1 Chronicles 12:33</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/12-2.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">They lie</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֤וְא ׀</span> <span class="translit">(šāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7723.htm">Strong's 7723: </a> </span><span class="str2">Evil, idolatry, uselessness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֤ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">another;</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵ֫עֵ֥הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they speak</span><br /><span class="heb">יְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏab·bê·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with flattering</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲלָק֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·lā·qō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2513.htm">Strong's 2513: </a> </span><span class="str2">Smoothness, flattery, an allotment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lips</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a double</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלֵ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heart.</span><br /><span class="heb">וָלֵ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(wā·lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 12:2 Everyone lies to his neighbor (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/12-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 12:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 12:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/12-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 12:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 12:3" /></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>