Psalms 12:3

Context

12:3 May the Lord cut off¹ all flattering lips,

and the tongue that boasts!²

[12:3] ¹tn The verb form is a jussive, indicating that the statement is imprecatory (“May the Lord cut off”), not indicative (“The Lord will cut off”; see also Ps 109:15 and Mal 2:12). The psalmist appeals to God to destroy the wicked, rather than simply stating his confidence that he will. In this way he seeks to activate divine judgment by appealing to God’s just character. For an example of the power of such a curse, see Judg 9:7-57.

[12:3] ²tn Heb “a tongue speaking great [things].”