Psalms 120:3

3 What punishment will he give you? what more will he do to you, you false tongue?

Psalms 120:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee?
&c.] Or, "what shall [it] give unto thee?" ^F19 That is, what shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee, O my soul? or to thee, to anyone that hears and reads this psalm? It is capable of giving thee a deal of trouble, of doing thee a deal of mischief; and of injuring thy character, and hurting thy peace and comfort, if permitted;

or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
or, "what shall the false tongue add unto thee?" ^F20 it shall increase thy sorrows and distress: or rather, what gain, profit, and advantage, shall the deceitful tongue get to itself by its lies and deceit? none at all; it may do harm to others, but gets no good to itself; see ( Isaiah 28:15 Isaiah 28:17 ) ; Or, "what shall he (God) give unto thee?" ^F21 or, "what shall he add unto thee, thou false tongue?" so Jarchi. What punishment will not he inflict upon thee, who hates lying lips? what plagues will not he add unto thee, who knows all the deceit that is in thee, and spoken by thee? The answer is as follows:

---

FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Kl Nty hm) "quid dabit tibi", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Gejerus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F20 (Kl Pyoy hmw) "et quid addet tibi", Montanus, Castalio; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.
F21 "Quid inferat tibi (Deus) aut quem rem adhibeat tibi, O lingua dolosa?" Tigurine version.

Psalms 120:3 In-Context

1 In my trouble my cry went up to the Lord, and he gave me an answer.

2 O Lord, be the saviour of my soul from false lips, and from the tongue of deceit.

3 What punishment will he give you? what more will he do to you, you false tongue?

4 Sharp arrows of the strong, and burning fire.

5 Sorrow is mine because I am strange in Meshech, and living in the tents of Kedar.