Psaume 55:21

21 Chacun jette la main sur ceux qui vivaient en paix avec lui; il viole son alliance.

Psaume 55:21 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 55:21

[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter
Such were the words of Ahithophel, when in counsel with David; and such the words of Judas, when he said to Christ, "hail, master", and kissed him, ( Matthew 26:49 ) ;

but war [was] in his heart;
even a civil war, rebellion against his prince; that was what Ahithophel meditated in his heart; and nothing less than to take away the life of Christ was designed by Judas. The words may be rendered, "they were divided" F5; that is, his mouth and his heart: "his mouth [was] butter, and his heart war"; the one declared for peace, when the other intended war; see ( Jeremiah 9:8 ) ;

his words were softer than oil;
at one time full of soothing and flattery:

yet [were] they drawn swords:
at another time sharp and cutting, breathing out threatening and slaughter, destruction and death.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 (wqlx) (diemerisyhsan) , Sept. "divisi sunt", V. L. Hammond.

Psaume 55:21 In-Context

19 Il mettra mon âme en paix, la délivrant de la guerre qu'on lui fait, car j'ai affaire à beaucoup de gens.
20 Dieu l'entendra, et il les humiliera, lui qui règne de tout temps (Sélah); parce qu'il n'y a point en eux de changement, et qu'ils ne craignent point Dieu.
21 Chacun jette la main sur ceux qui vivaient en paix avec lui; il viole son alliance.
22 Les paroles de sa bouche sont plus douces que le beurre, mais la guerre est dans son cœur; ses paroles sont plus onctueuses que l'huile, mais ce sont des épées nues.
23 Décharge-toi de ton fardeau sur l'Éternel, et il te soutiendra; il ne permettra jamais que le juste soit ébranlé.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.