Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "with a double heart" is a literal translation of the Hebrew, meaning "with a heart and a heart." This highlights the deceptive nature of their speech, where they hold one intention in their heart but profess another, revealing a profound inner division.
Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a desperate plea for help, as the psalmist observes a profound lack of godly and faithful people in the land. He laments that everyone seems to be speaking deceitfully and insincerely to their neighbors, driven by hidden motives and flattering words. This stark depiction of widespread dishonesty sets the stage for his cry to God, highlighting the pervasive corruption he sees around him.
Ever feel like people aren't being genuine? Sometimes smooth words hide a hidden agenda.
The verse paints a stark picture of insincere communication. "Flattering lips" describe speech designed to please and manipulate, while "a double heart" reveals a divided inner self. This isn't just about telling outright lies; it's about saying one thing while intending another. The ancient Hebrew phrase for 'a double heart' literally means 'a heart and a heart.' Imagine having one heart for public appearances and another for private thoughts – a heart for God and a heart for the world, or one intention for a friend and a different one for a rival.
This duality leads to words that are not a true reflection of one's inner state. It's a form of hypocrisy that erodes trust and creates confusion. The danger lies in the deception, where outward charm masks inner deceit, making true connection impossible.
When it seems like everyone is being dishonest, where do you find truth?
The Psalmist states that "everyone utters lies to his neighbor." This isn't just an observation of isolated incidents; it describes a widespread societal problem. The faithful and godly are described as failing or ceasing (verse 1), suggesting that deceit has become the norm, pushing sincere people to the margins or even out of sight. This creates a bleak environment where trust is difficult to establish and maintain.
This pervasive falsehood isn't limited to grand deceptions. It infiltrates everyday interactions, as indicated by the phrase "to his neighbor." It signifies a breakdown in the basic honesty expected between people. When dishonesty becomes commonplace, it desensitizes people to its severity and makes genuine connection and community challenging.
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Understand the original words
shâv’ · Hebrew Noun
Falsehoods or deceptive speech; speech that is contrary to God’s nature of truth, often used to mislead or manipulate others.
sâphâh châlâqôt · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Speech intended to praise someone insincerely to gain an advantage or manipulate, lacking integrity or genuine love.
lêv vâlêv · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Refers to duplicity, insincerity, or a divided mind; lacking moral unity or honesty before God and others.
This psalm paints a stark picture of a society riddled with deceit and flattery, likely reflecting the turbulent times of David's life, particularly the period of Saul's intense persecution. The overwhelming sense of untrustworthiness among people points to a breakdown of moral and social order, where genuine loyalty and truth were scarce commodities.
c. 1010-1000 BC— this verse
Saul's Persecution of David
King Saul, driven by jealousy, relentlessly pursued David, his former champion. This period saw widespread political instability and shifting loyalties, where many likely sided with the king or remained silent out of fear.
c. 1010 BC
David Flees to Gath
During Saul's persecution, David, fearing for his life, had to flee from his homeland and feign madness before Achish, the king of Gath. This highlights the danger and deceit present in the political climate.
c. 1000 BC
David Crowned King of Judah
Following Saul's death, David was made king over the tribe of Judah. While a step towards stability, the nation remained divided, and many political intrigues likely continued.
c. 993 BC
David Becomes King Over All Israel
David united the tribes of Israel and Judah, establishing his kingdom. Even with a strong ruler, the memory of betrayal and the pervasive nature of deceit would have lingered.
Paul directly echoes this sentiment, urging believers to 'put away falsehood and speak truth with his neighbor,' highlighting the importance of honest speech in the Christian community.
Proverbs 26:24-26This passage vividly describes the deceptive nature of speech, contrasting a person who 'hates, he does it with a hidden intent' with the need for truthfulness, much like the 'double heart' mentioned in Psalms.
1 Chronicles 12:33This verse speaks of those from the tribe of Issachar who 'had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do,' representing a stark contrast to the deceitful and insincere talkers in Psalms 12.
Luke 12:1-2Jesus warns about the 'leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy,' and states that 'nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known,' underscoring the eventual exposure of double-hearted speech.
calvinPsalms 12:1-2: "<> Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men."
- Save me, O Jehovah; for the merciful man hath failed, and the faithful are wasted away from among the children of men, 2. Every one speaketh deceit [or falsehood] with his neighbor; they speak with lips of flattery, with a double heart. [254]
To the chief musician upon the eighth. With respect to the word eighth, there are two opinions among interpreters. According to some, it me…
clarkePsalms 12:2: "They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak."
They speak vanity every one with his neighbor - They are false and hollow; they say one thing while they mean another; there is no trusting to what they say. Flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak - בלב ולב beleb valeb, "With a heart and a heart." They seem to have two hearts; one to speak fair words, and the other to invent mischief. The old MS. both trans…
The phrase "with a double heart" is a literal translation of the Hebrew, meaning "with a heart and a heart." This highlights the deceptive nature of their speech, where they hold one intention in their heart but profess another, revealing a profound inner division.
This psalm opens with a desperate plea for help, as the psalmist observes a profound lack of godly and faithful people in the land. He laments that everyone seems to be speaking deceitfully and insincerely to their neighbors, driven by hidden motives and flattering words. This stark depiction of widespread dishonesty sets the stage for his cry to God, highlighting the pervasive corruption he sees around him.
This psalm opens with a desperate plea for help, as the psalmist observes a profound lack of godly and faithful people in the land. He laments that everyone seems to be speaking deceitfully and insincerely to their neighbors, driven by hidden motives and flattering words. This stark depiction of widespread dishonesty sets the stage for his cry to God, highlighting the pervasive corruption he sees around him.
"Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." — The phrase "with a double heart" is a literal translation of the Hebrew, meaning "with a heart and a heart." This highlights the deceptive nature of their speech, where they hold one intention in the…
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Last reviewed October 2026