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.
His words were smoother than butter, but his heart was full of hatred. His speech was softer than oil, but his words were like sharp swords ready to strike.
This verse warns about people who speak sweetly and kindly on the outside but harbor evil intentions and plan to hurt you.
📚 Historical Context
Psalm 55 is attributed to King David and likely reflects his experiences of betrayal during his reign, possibly alluding to events like Absalom's rebellion where trusted allies turned against him. In this psalm, David expresses deep anguish over a close friend's duplicity, using vivid imagery to describe how smooth words can hide harmful intentions. This highlights the cultural context of ancient Israel, where personal and political betrayals were common, and rhetoric was often a tool for deception.
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