What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a question, but a prophetic declaration implying that God Himself is the one who will deliver the deserved punishment. The phrasing suggests a divine reckoning is coming, directly responding to the harm caused by deceitful speech.
What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is in distress, feeling like a sojourner surrounded by people whose words are full of deceit and strife. He is deeply weary of this atmosphere of falsehood and longs for escape. This verse questions what reward or consequence awaits such a deceitful tongue, and the following verse answers with images of fiery judgment.
Ever wondered what happens to those who twist the truth? This psalm doesn't just condemn deceit; it declares a divine reckoning.
This verse is a powerful question posed directly to the 'deceitful tongue.' It's not asking for advice on how to reward such speech, but rather a rhetorical challenge: What can be given or done to a tongue that spreads lies and causes harm? The implied answer is that such actions warrant severe judgment.
Think of it like this: If someone deliberately spreads harmful rumors, what 'reward' do they deserve? The psalm suggests that the consequences will be dire and fitting for the offense. It’s a divine promise that God sees the damage caused by falsehood and will bring about justice.
The Bible often paints vivid pictures of the tongue's power. Here, it's depicted not just as speaking, but as wielding a weapon.
The imagery here is striking. The 'deceitful tongue' isn't just speaking; it's actively doing harm, like a warrior with sharp arrows. The subsequent verse (which isn't in your provided text, but is crucial context) describes the punishment as 'warrior's sharp arrows' and 'glowing coals.' This connects the punishment directly to the crime.
Just as a warrior's arrows can pierce and inflict deep wounds, and burning coals can cause lasting destruction, so too does the deceitful tongue inflict damage. The psalm warns that the very weapons used in slander and falsehood will be turned back upon the perpetrator, but wielded by God's righteous judgment.
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This verse isn't just about human interaction; it's a profound statement about God's engagement with human sin, especially deceit.
The question 'What shall be given to you...?' carries the weight of impending consequences. Commentators suggest this echoes phrases like 'God do so to me and more also' (1 Samuel 3:17), indicating a solemn imprecation or a declared judgment.
It means that God is not passive in the face of lies. He will actively bring about a fitting recompense for the deceitful tongue. This isn't about random chance; it's about divine justice. The person who uses their tongue to harm will face a judgment that mirrors their actions, often described in the biblical text using powerful imagery of destruction and intense pain.
This passage directly parallels the imagery of the tongue as a weapon, describing how deceitful words are like sharpened arrows or swords, echoing the violent retribution threatened in Psalm 120.
James 3:6James vividly illustrates the destructive power of the tongue, likening it to a small fire that can set an entire forest ablaze, reinforcing the idea of a 'deceitful tongue' bringing about severe consequences.
Proverbs 12:18This proverb contrasts the reckless words of the impetuous with the wise, thoughtful speech of the prudent, highlighting the inherent danger and damage caused by uncontrolled, deceitful talk.
1 Samuel 3:17This verse uses a common formula for invoking judgment ('So may the LORD do to me, and more also'), which helps illuminate the structure of Psalm 120:3-4, where a question about retribution is implicitly answered by divine judgment.
Psalm 140:10This psalm speaks of 'burning coals' and 'fiery pits' as metaphors for divine judgment and entrapment, resonating with the imagery of 'glowing coals' used to describe the fate of the deceitful tongue.
cambridgePsalms 120:3: "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?"
3, 4 . What should he give thee, and what should he add to thee, thou deceitful tongue? Arrows of a warrior sharpened, with glowing coals of broom. The tongue, or rather its owner, is addressed. God is the subject of the verbs, and the form of expression is suggested by the familiar formula, “So God do to thee and more also” ( 1 Samuel 3:17 ), lit. “So shall God do to thee and so shall he add.” Ps…
pulpitPsalms 120:3: "What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?"
Verse 3. - What shall be given unto thee? rather, what shall he (i.e. God) give to thee? Or, in other words - What punishment will God inflict on thee for thy false speaking? Or what shall be done unto thee? literally, or what shall he add to thee? Compare the common phrase, "God do so unto me, and more also" (1 Samuel 3:17; 1 Samuel 14:44). Thou false tongue. The "false tongue" is apostrophized,…
This verse isn't just a question, but a prophetic declaration implying that God Himself is the one who will deliver the deserved punishment. The phrasing suggests a divine reckoning is coming, directly responding to the harm caused by deceitful speech.
The psalmist is in distress, feeling like a sojourner surrounded by people whose words are full of deceit and strife. He is deeply weary of this atmosphere of falsehood and longs for escape. This verse questions what reward or consequence awaits such a deceitful tongue, and the following verse answers with images of fiery judgment.
The psalmist is in distress, feeling like a sojourner surrounded by people whose words are full of deceit and strife. He is deeply weary of this atmosphere of falsehood and longs for escape. This verse questions what reward or consequence awaits such a deceitful tongue, and the following verse answers with images of fiery judgment.
"What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!" — This verse isn't just a question, but a prophetic declaration implying that God Himself is the one who will deliver the deserved punishment. The phrasing suggests a divine reckoning is coming, direct…
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Last reviewed October 2026