Psalms 120:3 Meaning: What Will Be Given to the Deceitful Tongue?
What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
What shall be given unto thee, and what shall be done more unto thee, Thou deceitful tongue?
What doth He give to thee? And what doth He add to thee? O deceitful tongue!
What shall be given unto thee, what shall be added unto thee, thou deceitful tongue?
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 120:3 asks the deceitful tongue what it will receive. God's judgment or its own fruit? The answer points to the end of lies.
Context
Psalm 120 is the first of fifteen Songs of Ascents, sung by pilgrims on the way up to Jerusalem for worship. The singer is in distress, surrounded by people who speak lies and hate peace. After crying to the Lord for deliverance, he turns and speaks directly to the deceitful tongue: 'What will be given to you?' The question hangs in the air, and the next verse answers it: sharp arrows and burning coals of broom, images of swift and complete destruction. The psalmist lives among hostile peoples (Meshech and Kedar), where peace is met with war. But he trusts that God will not let deceit have the final word.
Key Words
Two Hebrew verbs carry the weight of this verse: natan (to give) and yasaph (to add). Both can be read with God as the hidden subject, “What will He give you? What will He add?”, or as a passive, “What will be given, what will be added?” Either way, the question expects an answer of judgment. The word for ‘deceitful tongue’ is leshon remiyah, a tongue that is bent, false, crooked. It is the same word used for the ‘lying lips’ of the psalmist’s enemies. The force is personal: the tongue itself is called out, addressed as if it were a person standing in the dock. This is not a curse but a challenge, full of faith that lies cannot last.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in two main ways. Some, like John Calvin and the Geneva Bible, focus on the futility of deceit: the lying tongue gains nothing in the end. Others, such as the Cambridge Bible and Matthew Henry, see it as a warning of God’s direct punishment, the ‘sharp arrows’ and ‘coals of juniper’ in the next verse describe divine judgment. These readings are not opposed. Both affirm that God is just and that deceit will not prosper. The question itself leaves room for both the natural consequences of lies and the active hand of God.
A common misunderstanding
A common mistake is to read this verse as a curse pronounced by the psalmist against his enemies. In fact, it is a rhetorical question that expects an answer. The psalmist is not cursing; he is expressing confidence that God will bring about justice. The question itself invites reflection: what does deceit actually earn? The next verse supplies the answer in vivid images of destruction.
Living This Out
If you have been wounded by someone’s lies, this verse gives you permission to bring that pain to God. You do not have to retaliate; you can trust that He sees and will act. If you are tempted to shade the truth, even a small lie to protect yourself, let this question stop you. Deceit never delivers what it promises. It may seem useful for a moment, but in the end it brings trouble. Choose truth, even when it costs you something. You are not alone in that struggle, and God honors those who speak honestly.
Main takeaway: Deceit may offer short-term gain, but it always leads to loss with no lasting benefit.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Sometimes people say things that aren’t true, and it hurts. Even if you are tempted to tell a lie to get out of trouble, remember that God sees everything and He loves honesty.
For ages 9, 12
Maybe you’ve had someone spread rumors about you, or maybe you’ve exaggerated a story to make yourself look better. This verse asks a hard question: what do lies really get you? The next verse says they are like sharp arrows and burning coals. Lies destroy trust and hurt everyone. God wants you to be someone who values truth, even when it’s hard. You can always ask Him for help to speak honestly.
Questions People Ask
Who is speaking in Psalm 120:3?
The psalmist is speaking directly to the deceitful tongue. It is a poetic address, calling out the source of the lies as if it were a person. This is a common Hebrew poetic device, personifying the tongue.
What are the 'sharp arrows of the mighty' in verse 4?
They are a metaphor for God's judgment. Just as arrows pierce and destroy, God's justice will strike down deceit. The coals of broom (a hot-burning desert shrub) add the image of fire, complete and purifying destruction.
Is God punishing the deceitful tongue or is it the natural consequence of lying?
Both are possible readings. Some commentators see the question as pointing to God's active judgment. Others see it as the inherent futility of lies: they bring no real profit and eventually destroy the liar. In either case, the psalmist trusts that deceit will not succeed.
How does Psalm 120:3 fit with the theme of 'Songs of Ascents'?
These songs were sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. The psalmist prays for deliverance from slander and deceit, which are obstacles to peaceful worship. The question in verse 3 expresses faith that God will clear the way for true worship.
What does 'what will be added to you' mean?
The Hebrew verb yasaph means 'to add' or 'to increase.' The question is: what more will you gain? The answer is nothing but trouble. It underscores the emptiness of deceit.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study