Psalm 55:21
◄  Psalm 55:21  ►
New International Version (©2011)
His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

New Living Translation (©2007)
His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!

English Standard Version (©2001)
His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
His buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.

International Standard Version (©2012)
His mouth is as smooth as butter, while war is in his heart. His words were as smooth as olive oil, while his sword is drawn.

NET Bible (©2006)
His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
They were troubled by the passion of his Person and by the anger of his heart; his words were softer than oil and effective as spearheads.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
His speech is smoother than butter, but there is war in his heart. His words are more soothing than oil, but they are like swords ready to attack.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
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.

American King James Version
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.

American Standard Version
His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.

Douay-Rheims Bible
they are divided by the wrath Of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and the same are darts.

Darby Bible Translation
Smooth were the milky words of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords.

English Revised Version
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

Young's Literal Translation
Sweeter than honey hath been his mouth, And his heart is war! Softer have been his words than oil, And they are drawn swords.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,.... Such were the words of Ahithophel, when in counsel with David; and such the words of Judas, when he said to Christ, "hail, master", and kissed him, Matthew 26:49;

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Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter - Prof. Alexander renders this, "Smooth are the butterings of his mouth." This is in accordance with the Hebrew, but the general meaning is well expressed in our common version. The idea is, that he was a hypocrite; that his professions of friendship were false; that he only used pleasant words - words expressive of friendship and love - to deceive and betray. We have a similar expression when we speak of "honeyed words," or "honeyed accents." This would apply to Ahithophel, and it will apply to thousands of similar cases in the world.

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Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Were smoother than butter - He was a complete courtier, and a deep, designing hypocrite besides. His words were as soft as butter, and as smooth as oil, while he meditated war; and the fair words which were intended to deceive, were intended also to destroy: they were drawn swords. This is a literal description of the words and conduct of Absalom, as we learn from the inspired historian, 2 Samuel 15:2, etc. He was accustomed to wait at the gate; question the persons who came for justice and judgment; throw out broad hints that the king was negligent of the affairs of his kingdom, and had not provided an effective magistracy to administer justice among the people, and added that if he were appointed judge in the land, justice should be done to all. He bowed also to the people, and kissed them; and thus he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. See the passages referred to above.

Geneva Study Bible

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 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Cast Your Cares on the Lord
…20He has put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he has broken his covenant. 21The 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. 22Cast your burden on the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 12:2 Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.
Psalm 28:3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
Psalm 35:20 They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
Psalm 57:4 I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts-- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Psalm 59:7 See what they spew from their mouths-- the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, "Who can hear us?"
Psalm 62:4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
Psalm 120:7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.
Proverbs 5:3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
Proverbs 5:4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.