1.3 God’s Judgement

Psalm 12:3-4 (KJV) “The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things. Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”– The LORD will deal with such Wickedness (“double hearted Person”) and Pride (“speaks proud things” = “great things”). The LORD will cut off the Person who practices flattery and Person with boastful speech (Psalm 12:3a).

1.3.1 Psalms 12:3

“The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things,” is a warning that God will judge those who use flattering words to deceive and boast, such as “flattering lips” and “the tongue that makes great boasts”. 

• Psalm 12:3 Asks for God’s Help Against Words of Evil. And considering this, we pray, God, help us not to speak with flattering lips, help us not to make great boasts. Help us not to utter lies to our neighbour. Help us not to speak with a double heart with flattering lips.
• Psalm 12:3 calls for God to cut off these deceitful tongues, which are used by arrogant people to assert that they can succeed through their own manipulative words and that no one can control them. 
• Flattery is often a form of Pride and Self-trust. Scripture says that if we look behind flattering lips, we are likely to find a boastful tongue.
• Flatterers arrogantly trust in their own ability to spin words and craft compliments to get out of trouble or get ahead
• “Flattering lips is also translated as “uncircumcised lips” or, “faltering {wavering} lips.”
• Psalm 12:3 highlights God’s disapproval of flattery, which can be used to manipulate or deceive others.
• Psalm 12:3 emphasizes the importance of speaking truthfully and sincerely, rather than using flattery to achieve personal gain.
• Psalm 12:3 creates an awareness us to communicate authentically and truthfully, avoiding insincere flattery.
• Psalm 12:3 serves as a reminder that God is aware of our words and actions and will judge those who use manipulative (flattering) speech.
• Psalm 12:3b “The tongue that speaks proud things” highlights God’s Opposition to pride and arrogance, particularly in speech.
• Psalm 12:3b “The tongue that speaks proud things” serves as a warning against speaking proudly or boastfully, which can be a sign of underlying Personal Pride or Insecurity.
• Psalm 12:3 passage critiques those who speak deceitfully, boastfully, and proudly, emphasizing the importance of humble and truthful communication.

Lesson of Psalm 12:3 encourages us to speak humbly and avoid boastful or proud language. God desires sincerity and truth. Flattering lips speaking hypocrisies, and tongues speaking proud things, are offences to God and He will cut the Wicked Person off (Psalm 12:3, KJV).

Psalm 12:1–4 is a Prayer of Deliverance from proud, evil people who spread lies. David sees a perilous decline of righteous individuals. From his perspective, it seems as if the entire world has turned to evil. The wicked employ lies, flattery, and hypocrisy. They assume their actions won’t result in consequences.

This discloses the crass (insensitive) Attitude of the Proud Boasters. Both in David’s era (Psalm 12:1–3) and today, arrogant “big Talkers” assume they will always get away with deceptive language. Their ability to take advantage of weak or desperate people leads them to think they would not have to answer to anyone.

Modern culture, especially, overflows with those whose speech is corrupt. Technology and social media have made it easier for us to communicate, but this has also given arrogance and flattery a larger platform. The people depicted in David’s complaint boast, slander others, curse, and profane God’s holy Name. The Commandment, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7), means nothing to them. They have no sense of accountability to God or man.

Those who revel in abusive, lying, foul, or deceptive speech believe their tongues are key in their quest for control of others. However, the Apostle James differs with that notion. He writes: “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Proud, evil Boasters are not using their tongues—their tongues are their masters and use them. Revelation 21:8 identifies the lake of fire as the final destination of those who live and breathe by their own lies. Boasting is an outward expression of the Sin of Pride. David reports the boasts of those surrounding him by listing three claims of the Wicked:

1.3.2 Autonomy

“Our lips are our own” (Psalm 12:4b, KJV). – The Boastful say, in his arrogance and presumed independence: That is no Person can control his flatters’ lips but himself. The second expression of the Wicked claims autonomy: He has the right to say anything he pleases.

• Psalm 12:4b “Our lips are our own” suggests that some people believe they have complete control over their words and actions, without accountability.
• Psalm 12:4b implies that some Individuals claim to be accountable only to themselves, disregarding God’s Sovereignty or Moral Accountability.
• Psalm 12:4b indicates a rejection of Divine Authority or Moral Guidelines, with Individuals believing they can speak and act as they please.
• Psalm 12:4b highlights the importance of recognizing accountability to a Divine Power or Moral Framework, in the midst of Societies.

Psalm12:4b encourages responsible and thoughtful speech, acknowledging the impact of words on others and one’s relationship with God. Psalm 12:3-4 critiques (analyses) those who speak deceitfully, boastfully, and proudly, emphasizing the importance of humble and truthful communication.

1.3.3 Independence

“Who is lord over us?” (Psalm 12:4c, KJV). – In Psalm 12:4c (KJV), the phrase “Who is lord over us?” reflects the Psalmist’s lament over the Wicked who, through deceit and lies, believe their actions have no Divine Consequences and that no one is in authority over them, creating a sense of chaos and oppression for the godly. This rhetorical question highlights the lack of accountability and God’s Absent Authority in the midst of evil. 

The Wicked do not allow any Person to lord over him –that is who can interfere with what he says or impedes him saying it?  The boast means, “And if we lie when we speak, who is there who can call us to account?”  

• Psalm 12:4c “Who is lord over us?” suggests a challenge to God’s Authority or a questioning of His Sovereignty.
• Psalm 12:4c “Who is lord over us?” implies a denial of God’s Lordship or a rejection of His Authority and Moral Accountability over Human Affairs.
• Psalm 12:4c indicates a desire for human Autonomy, with Individuals seeking to be their own Authorities rather than submitting to God’s Will.
• The Boastful Person of Psalm 12:4c is convinced that he may make any claim, tell any lie, voice any deception, and not stand under judgement for his attitudes and actions.
• The Boastful attitudes and actions are motivated by Pride and are used by the Person who thinks that he is in control and will never need to answer to anybody, including God.
• The Boastful Person’s lips are his own, and he can speak just as he pleases.
• The Boastful will not be subjected to Divine Restraint/Moral Law.
• The Boastful will do and say as he likes. He has no accountability with his speeches and attitudes. Such are the attitudes and actions of the Boastful, but God will judge!!

Psalm 12:4c “Who is lord over us?” encourages recognition of God’s Lordship and Authority over all aspects of life. Psalm 12:4c viewed, in the positive, promotes humility and submission to God’s Will, rather than seeking to assert Human Autonomy or Independence. Proud words describe boastful speech that impresses People by its Oratory and Vocabulary. “Great Swelling Words” is the phrase used in 2Peter 2:18 and Jude 1:16. Daniel 7:20, 25 and Revelation 13:2 reveal that the Antichrist will speak in this way when he rules the World.

• Psalms