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Selected Verse: Psalms 55:21 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Ps 55:21 |
Strong Concordance |
The words of his mouth [06310] were smoother [02505] than butter [04260], but war [07128] was in his heart [03820]: his words [01697] were softer [07401] than oil [08081], yet were they drawn swords [06609]. |
|
King James |
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter - Prof. Alexander renders this, "Smooth are the butterings of his mouth." This is in accordance with the Hebrew, but the general meaning is well expressed in our common version. The idea is, that he was a hypocrite; that his professions of friendship were false; that he only used pleasant words - words expressive of friendship and love - to deceive and betray. We have a similar expression when we speak of "honeyed words," or "honeyed accents." This would apply to Ahithophel, and it will apply to thousands of similar cases in the world.
But war was in his heart - He was base, treacherous, false. He was really my enemy, and was ready, when any suitable occasion occurred, to show himself to be such.
His words were softer than oil - Smooth, pleasant, gentle. He was full of professions of love and kindness.
Yet were they drawn swords - As swords drawn from the scabbard, and ready to be used. Compare Psa 28:3; Psa 57:4. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Were smoother than butter - He was a complete courtier, and a deep, designing hypocrite besides. His words were as soft as butter, and as smooth as oil, while he meditated war; and the fair words which were intended to deceive, were intended also to destroy: they were drawn swords. This is a literal description of the words and conduct of Absalom, as we learn from the inspired historian, Sa2 15:2, etc. He was accustomed to wait at the gate; question the persons who came for justice and judgment; throw out broad hints that the king was negligent of the affairs of his kingdom, and had not provided an effective magistracy to administer justice among the people, and added that if he were appointed judge in the land, justice should be done to all. He bowed also to the people, and kissed them; and thus he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. See the passages referred to above. |
4 My soul [05315] is among [08432] lions [03833]: and I lie [07901] even among them that are set on fire [03857], even the sons [01121] of men [0120], whose teeth [08127] are spears [02595] and arrows [02671], and their tongue [03956] a sharp [02299] sword [02719].
3 Draw me not away [04900] with the wicked [07563], and with the workers [06466] of iniquity [0205], which speak [01696] peace [07965] to their neighbours [07453], but mischief [07451] is in their hearts [03824].
2 And Absalom [053] rose up early [07925], and stood [05975] beside [03027] the way [01870] of the gate [08179]: and it was so, that when any man [0376] that had a controversy [07379] came [0935] to the king [04428] for judgment [04941], then Absalom [053] called [07121] unto him, and said [0559], Of what [0335] city [05892] art thou? And he said [0559], Thy servant [05650] is of one [0259] of the tribes [07626] of Israel [03478].