Psalm 12 4

Psalm 12:4 kjv

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Psalm 12:4 nkjv

Who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?"

Psalm 12:4 niv

those who say, "By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us?who is lord over us?"

Psalm 12:4 esv

those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?"

Psalm 12:4 nlt

They say, "We will lie to our hearts' content.
Our lips are our own ? who can stop us?"

Psalm 12 verses

Psalm 12 4 Meaning

Psalm 12:4 expresses the arrogant defiance of the wicked who claim absolute sovereignty over their speech. They confidently assert that their words are the instruments by which they will gain advantage and power. The concluding phrase, "our lips are our own; who is master over us?", reveals a profound rejection of any higher authority, implicitly God Himself. This verse highlights a spirit of extreme pride, self-sufficiency, and rebellion, where human speech is seen as an autonomous force unbound by divine accountability or moral constraint.

Psalm 12 4 Context

Psalm 12 is a heartfelt lament from David in a time of pervasive ungodliness. The psalmist opens by pleading with God because "the godly one has gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man" (v.1). The focus immediately shifts to the dominant characteristic of the remaining populace: their deceitful and flattering speech. Verse 2 describes them as those who "speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." Verse 4 then zeroes in on the root attitude behind this wicked speech – not merely its deceit, but its brazen autonomy and defiance. These individuals see their words as tools of self-empowerment and declare themselves above any authority, divine or human, concerning what they say. This arrogant verbal posture explains the deep moral corruption that surrounds the psalmist. The Psalm subsequently moves to God's promised intervention to deliver the oppressed from those who "puff at them" with words (v.5), ending with a powerful contrast between God's pure and reliable words (v.6) and the pervasive evil of this wicked generation (v.7-8). Historically, this likely reflects periods of societal moral decay within Israel, or even foreign oppression, where divine truth was supplanted by human manipulation and self-rule.

Psalm 12 4 Word analysis

• who say (אֲשֶׁר אָמְר֣וּ - asher amru):

  • Asher is a relative pronoun, linking this bold statement directly to the ungodly individuals previously implied or mentioned (those who speak "falsehood" and with "flattering lips").
  • Amru (אָמְר֣וּ) is the perfect tense of "to say," denoting a definite, completed declaration. It implies not a casual thought, but a settled conviction and an open, defiant assertion. Their words are intentional and represent a core belief.

• With our tongue (לְלֶשׁוֹנֵ֗נוּ - l'leshonenu):

  • Leshonenu (לֶשׁוֹן) means "tongue," which in Hebrew scripture is a powerful metonym for speech itself, representing words, utterances, and the ability to articulate.
  • The prefix le- (לְ) denotes the instrument or means, emphasizing that the tongue is their chosen tool or weapon. This highlights their reliance on verbal dexterity and cunning.

• we will prevail (נַ֫גְבִּ֥יר - nagbir):

  • Nagbir (נַגְבִּיר) comes from the root gavar (גבר), meaning "to be strong, mighty, or to prevail."
  • It is in the Hiphil stem, which suggests an active causation or manifestation of strength: "we will make strong," "we will show our might," or "we will become mighty." It signifies an aggressive claim of victory, domination, or superiority achieved through their speech.

• our lips (שְׂפָתֵ֑ינוּ - s'fateynu):

  • Sfateynu (שְׂפָתַיִם) refers to "lips," often used in parallelism with "tongue" in Hebrew poetry to reinforce the concept of speech. While "tongue" might refer to the internal mechanism of speaking, "lips" often signifies the outward pronouncements, declarations, or even the persuasive quality of words.

• are our own (אִתָּנ֤וּ - itt_anu):

  • Ittanu (אִתָּנוּ) literally translates to "with us" or "by us." In this specific context, it conveys a strong sense of personal ownership, autonomy, and disposal. It means "our lips are completely at our command," "under our sole authority," or "we possess them entirely."

• who is master (מִֽי אׇד֥וֹן - mi adon):

  • Mi (מִי) is the interrogative "who," expressing a rhetorical question intended as a bold, dismissive challenge.
  • Adon (אָדוֹן) is a significant term for "lord," "master," or "owner." It denotes someone who possesses authority, ultimate control, or sovereignty over others. The use of this word implies a challenge to God as the ultimate "Adon."

• over us? (לָֽנוּ׃ - lanu):

  • Lanu (לָנוּ) means "to us" or "for us." When paired with Adon, it clearly specifies the target of their defiant question – "master over us," underscoring their refusal to be subjected to any superior dominion.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "With our tongue we will prevail": This phrase captures the self-reliant and aggressive intent of the wicked. They view their verbal capacity as their ultimate weapon and means of triumph. Their words are not for truth, but for control and self-advancement, indicating a rejection of God's design for communication. This reflects a human-centric worldview, where the skill of speech replaces reliance on divine strength or justice.
  • "our lips are our own": This declaration is the core of their rebellion. It’s a bold assertion of absolute self-ownership, especially over their faculty of speech. This group of words emphasizes that they are not accountable to anyone—neither human authority nor divine law—for what they say or how they use their words. It's a statement of autonomy, effectively denying God's ownership over their created being.
  • "who is master over us?": This rhetorical question is the climax of their defiant challenge. It’s an explicit rejection of any lord or sovereign authority above them, pointed squarely at God. It echoes the prideful spirit seen throughout scripture where humanity seeks to usurp divine prerogatives. Their denial of an "Adon" signifies their aspiration to be autonomous lords of their own lives and destinies, unchecked by divine command or coming judgment.

Psalm 12 4 Bonus section

• Theological Implications of 'Adon': The wicked's use of Adon is highly significant. In the Old Testament, Adon is frequently applied to Yahweh (e.g., Adonai). By asking "who is Adon over us?", they are not merely denying human authority, but are issuing a direct theological challenge to God's ultimate ownership and governance over them and their words, reflecting an inherent spiritual rebellion.
• Contrasting God's Words: This verse serves as a crucial setup for the rest of Psalm 12. Following this declaration of wicked, self-sufficient speech, verse 6 presents a direct contrast: "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." This highlights the fundamental difference between humanity's fallen, defiant words and God's perfect, reliable, and truth-telling words, underscoring the spiritual battle between divine sovereignty and human arrogance.
• Cultural Context: Oral Society: In ancient societies, which were primarily oral, words held immense weight. Oaths, blessings, curses, and public declarations were powerful. The wicked's boast ("with our tongue we will prevail") reflects this cultural understanding of words as instruments of real-world power, now misappropriated and deployed in defiance of divine law.
• Polemics against Idolatry of Self: This verse acts as a polemic against the ultimate form of idolatry – the worship of self. By claiming total autonomy over their lips and rejecting any master, the wicked essentially elevate themselves to the status of a god, where their word is law and their will is supreme. This attitude underpins all other forms of ungodliness and sin.

Psalm 12 4 Commentary

Psalm 12:4 pierces to the heart of human rebellion by exposing the wicked's fundamental defiance against God. Their declaration, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are our own; who is master over us?", is a two-part boast. Firstly, it expresses immense confidence in their own verbal abilities, believing that persuasive words, even deceitful ones, will grant them victory and power in all circumstances. This demonstrates a strategic reliance on human cunning rather than divine truth. Secondly, and more profoundly, it reveals their outright rejection of divine authority. The statement "our lips are our own" signifies an ultimate claim to self-ownership and moral autonomy, asserting that they are not answerable to God for their words or actions. The rhetorical question "who is master over us?" directly challenges the Lord's sovereignty, manifesting an anti-God spirit that despises accountability. This prideful rejection is not merely a statement about speech; it embodies a worldview that positions humanity as self-sufficient and independent of God's dominion. However, the psalm reminds us that while the wicked boast, God ultimately will rise to defend the oppressed against such oppressive and rebellious speech.

• Practical examples:
  • Someone engaging in defamation or manipulating facts online, convinced their narrative will dominate and refusing any notion of moral responsibility.
  • Individuals using politically expedient, but ultimately deceptive, rhetoric to achieve their goals, dismissing ethical considerations or divine judgment.
  • Those who claim the right to speak and propagate harmful falsehoods under the banner of absolute personal freedom, denying any divine or communal standard of truth or accountability.