Psalm 55 21

Psalm 55:21 kjv

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.

Psalm 55:21 nkjv

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

Psalm 55:21 niv

His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

Psalm 55:21 esv

His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

Psalm 55:21 nlt

His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!

Psalm 55 verses

Psalm 55 21 Meaning

Psalm 55:21 describes the profoundly deceitful nature of a betrayer whose outwardly pleasant and reassuring words conceal a malicious, warlike intention. Their speech, though appearing gentle, rich, and beneficial like butter or oil, is in truth a lethal weapon, covertly aimed to wound, undermine, or destroy, reflecting the profound and hidden hostility deeply rooted in their heart.

Psalm 55 21 Context

Psalm 55 is a fervent lamentation of King David, deeply distressed by the profound betrayal of a close confidant, described as "my equal, my companion, my intimate friend" (Ps 55:13). While not explicitly named, the context strongly aligns with the historical narrative of Ahithophel, David's trusted counselor, who notoriously sided with Absalom during his rebellion (2 Sam 15-17). David expresses overwhelming anguish, longing to escape the deceit and violence rampant in his city (Ps 55:4-8). His sorrow deepens as he contemplates the unbearable nature of this treachery originating from someone with whom he had shared deep spiritual and personal fellowship (Ps 55:12-14). Verse 21 specifically amplifies this distress by highlighting the hypocritical and destructive nature of the betrayer's words—outwardly gentle and inviting, yet internally filled with treacherous and hostile intentions. The psalm navigates between David's desperate appeals for divine intervention and his unwavering trust in God's ultimate justice against his adversaries.

Psalm 55 21 Word analysis

• His words were smoother / His words were softer:
  • כָּבְדוּ (kav'du): From the root kavad, meaning "heavy," "weighty," "rich," or "glorious." In this context, it implies a richness or substance to the words, making them seem substantial, soothing, or laden with pleasantness, contributing to their deceptive nature.
  • רַכּוּ (rakku): From rak, meaning "tender," "weak," or "soft." This reinforces the outward gentleness and non-threatening quality of the betrayer's speech, creating a stark contrast with the true intention.
• דְבָרָיו (d'varayv): "his words," "his speech," or "his utterances." This points directly to verbal communication as the instrument of the deception, emphasizing how language itself is twisted to mislead.
• מֵחֶמְאוֹת (mechem'aot): "than butter," or more broadly, "than rich/creamy substances." Chemah refers to curdled milk or fat. Butter was a symbol of richness, prosperity, and something pleasant or easy to consume, conveying a sense of smooth, digestible goodness.
• וְהוּא קְרָב לִבּוֹ (v'hu qerav libbô): "yet war was in his heart."
  • קְרָב (qerav): "battle," "fight," or "war." This is a strong, definitive word indicating active, hostile conflict.
  • לִבּוֹ (libbô): "his heart." In Hebrew thought, the heart is not merely the seat of emotion, but the center of intellect, will, decision, and moral character. This phrase exposes the core of the betrayer's being, revealing deep-seated malice despite outward pleasantries.
• מִשָּׁמֶן (mishshemen): "than oil." Oil, such as olive oil, was used for anointing, healing, culinary purposes, and fuel for light. It symbolized smoothness, soothing comfort, anointing, and blessing. Its pleasant, benign qualities further intensify the deception's contrast.
• וְהֵמָּה פְתִחוֹת (v'hemmah p'tihot): "yet they were drawn swords."
  • פְתִחוֹת (p'tihot): Literally "openings" or "unveiled things," derived from patach, "to open." In the context of weapons, this specifically refers to swords drawn from their scabbards, signifying they are unsheathed, ready for use, and imminently dangerous, ready to strike and wound.

• "His words were smoother than butter... his words were softer than oil": This employs parallelism to emphatically convey the outwardly appealing and harmless nature of the betrayer's speech. The imagery of butter and oil suggests pleasantness, ease, and even nourishment, portraying the words as disarming and seemingly benevolent. This sets the stage for the dramatic reveal of their true purpose.
• "yet war was in his heart: ... yet were they drawn swords": These powerful contrasting clauses dramatically unveil the stark reality behind the deceptively gentle exterior. "War in his heart" reveals an insidious and deeply rooted intention to cause harm, actively contradicting the peace implied by "butter" and "oil." The comparison of words to "drawn swords" vividly portrays them as instruments of direct conflict, betrayal, and potential death, highlighting the malicious design embedded within the smooth utterances. The skillful juxtaposition between the outward facade and the internal intent forms the core impact of the verse.

Psalm 55 21 Bonus section

The rhetorical force of Psalm 55:21 lies in its masterful use of vivid sensory metaphors—taste and touch (butter, oil) contrasted with sight and visceral danger (war, drawn swords). This creates a powerful jarring effect, enabling the listener to viscerally grasp the shock of betrayal when pleasantness dissolves into aggression. In ancient Hebrew culture, words were not mere sounds; they possessed inherent power and often had tangible consequences, whether to bless, curse, bind, or release. The idea of "words" themselves being "drawn swords" emphasizes that the spoken word in the hand of a traitor can inflict wounds as deep and lethal as any physical blade. This verse contributes to the biblical emphasis on the integrity of the heart, as words ultimately emanate from one's true nature. It echoes themes in Wisdom literature, which frequently warns against the dangers of flattering speech (Prov 2:16, Prov 7:21) and counsels diligence in discerning true character, especially in trusted relationships. The pain described by the Psalmist resonates across human experience, as betrayal by one held in high regard—a friend, advisor, or leader—often cuts far deeper than hostility from an overt enemy.

Psalm 55 21 Commentary

Psalm 55:21 profoundly illustrates the deceptive cunning of a betrayer. The verse presents a stark dichotomy between the smooth, pleasant facade of their words and the destructive malice lurking in their heart. Likening speech to "butter" and "oil" conveys an initial impression of something beneficial, comforting, and nourishing—perhaps counsel, promises, or expressions of camaraderie. However, this veneer masks a deeply seated intent to "war" against the victim, a visceral desire for conflict and harm that fundamentally contradicts the outward amiability. The culmination of this imagery is particularly potent, as these "softer" words are revealed to be "drawn swords," no longer benign or merely persuasive, but sharpened weapons poised for spiritual, emotional, or even physical assault. This highlights that the harm is not accidental but a deliberate act of communication infused with malicious design. The verse serves as a crucial biblical warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of discerning a person's true intentions and character beyond mere rhetoric. It reminds believers to rely on spiritual discernment to protect against those who appear harmless but harbor destructive intent.