Deceitful words carry powerful consequences and this verse calls for careful, truthful speech anchored in God’s righteousness.
The psalmist laments the harm of deceitful words and poses a rhetorical question in “What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?” (v.3). In Psalm 120, which is the first song of ascents, the author cries out against those who use their words to mislead and injure others. This psalm would have been sung by worshipers traveling to Jerusalem, a city in the southern hill country of ancient Israel, where the temple was located. Although Psalm 120 does not mention specific historical figures, it is traditionally placed in the post-exilic era, sometime after the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity (circa 538 BC), when many of the community’s spiritual songs were compiled. The question in this verse foreshadows divine judgment and underscores the belief that those who sow dishonesty reap dire consequences.
By asking, “What shall be given to you?” (v.3), the psalmist reminds the reader that God sees every falsehood. Often in the biblical canon, untruthful speech is compared to weapons that harm others (see James 3 in the New Testament). Throughout Scripture, we see the warning that a “deceitful tongue” ultimately boomerangs on the speaker, demonstrating that no form of dishonesty escapes accountability. The wrong use of words can erode relationships, communities, and individual character. From the perspective of faith, this verse offers a sobering reminder that God, who is described as the ultimate judge, will address the impact of deceit.
Closing out this psalm, “and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?” (v.3) emphasizes how deceit does not go unheeded by the Lord. It also runs parallel with other references in Scripture that warn about the spiritual weight of our speech (Matthew 12:36-37). In the face of such serious questions, believers are encouraged to seek truth and allow their words to reflect honesty, pointing ultimately to Jesus, who identified Himself as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
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Psalms 120:3 meaning
The psalmist laments the harm of deceitful words and poses a rhetorical question in “What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?” (v.3). In Psalm 120, which is the first song of ascents, the author cries out against those who use their words to mislead and injure others. This psalm would have been sung by worshipers traveling to Jerusalem, a city in the southern hill country of ancient Israel, where the temple was located. Although Psalm 120 does not mention specific historical figures, it is traditionally placed in the post-exilic era, sometime after the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity (circa 538 BC), when many of the community’s spiritual songs were compiled. The question in this verse foreshadows divine judgment and underscores the belief that those who sow dishonesty reap dire consequences.
By asking, “What shall be given to you?” (v.3), the psalmist reminds the reader that God sees every falsehood. Often in the biblical canon, untruthful speech is compared to weapons that harm others (see James 3 in the New Testament). Throughout Scripture, we see the warning that a “deceitful tongue” ultimately boomerangs on the speaker, demonstrating that no form of dishonesty escapes accountability. The wrong use of words can erode relationships, communities, and individual character. From the perspective of faith, this verse offers a sobering reminder that God, who is described as the ultimate judge, will address the impact of deceit.
Closing out this psalm, “and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue?” (v.3) emphasizes how deceit does not go unheeded by the Lord. It also runs parallel with other references in Scripture that warn about the spiritual weight of our speech (Matthew 12:36-37). In the face of such serious questions, believers are encouraged to seek truth and allow their words to reflect honesty, pointing ultimately to Jesus, who identified Himself as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).