Psalms 12:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:
American King James Version (AKJV)
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things:
American Standard Version (ASV)
Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh great things;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.
Webster's Revision
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
World English Bible
May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,
English Revised Version (ERV)
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaketh great things:
Clarke's Psalms 12:3 Bible Commentary
Proud things - גדלות gedoloth, great things; great swelling words, both in their promises and in their commendations.
Barnes's Psalms 12:3 Bible Commentary
The Lord shall cut off - This might be rendered, "May the Lord cut off," implying a wish on the part of the psalmist that it might occur. But probably the common rendering is the correct one. It is the statement of a solemn truth, designed for warning, that all such persons would be punished.
All flattering lips - The meaning is, that he will cut off all "persons" who use flattery; that is, he will cut them off from the favors which he will show to his own people, or will punish them. The word used here is the common one to denote disowning or excommunicating, and derives its meaning from the act of separating offenders from a community. See Genesis 17:14; Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 18:29; Leviticus 20:3, Leviticus 20:6; et soepe.
And the tongue that speaketh proud things - That boasts, or is self-confident. For an example of this, see Isaiah 28:15; and compare the notes at that passage. It was this disposition to falsehood, flattery, and boasting, which constituted the fact stated in Psalm 12:1, that "godly" and "faithful" men - men on whom reliance might be placed, whose word might be trusted, and whose promised aid in the cause of truth might be depended on - had seemed to "fail" among men. That is, no such men could be found.