King James Version

What Does Psalms 12:2 Mean?

Psalms 12:2 in the King James Version says “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. a double: He...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. a double: Heb. an heart and an heart”

Psalms 12:2 · KJV

Context

1

To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. upon: or, upon the eighth Help: or, Save

2

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. a double: Heb. an heart and an heart

3

The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: proud: Heb. great

4

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? are: Heb. are with us

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. This verse specifies the godlessness lamented in verse 1, focusing on corrupt speech characterized by emptiness, flattery, and duplicity. When faithfulness disappears, language becomes weaponized for selfish ends rather than used for truth and building relationships.

"They speak vanity" (shav yedabberu, שָׁוְא יְדַבְּרוּ) uses shav meaning emptiness, falsehood, deception, worthlessness—the same word used in the Third Commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (lashav, Exodus 20:7). Their speech lacks substance, truth, reliability. Words become empty noise disconnected from reality, designed to deceive rather than communicate truth. This contrasts with God's words (verse 6) which are pure and reliable.

"Every one with his neighbour" (ish et reahu, אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ) emphasizes the universal breakdown of communication. Rea means neighbor, friend, companion—those in close relationship. When even neighbors can't trust each other's words, social fabric disintegrates. The Ninth Commandment prohibits bearing false witness against neighbors (Exodus 20:16), but here universal violation reigns. Jeremiah 9:4-5 describes similar conditions: "Take ye heed every one of his neighbour...they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth."

"With flattering lips" (sefat chalaqot, שְׂפַת חֲלָקוֹת) uses chalaq meaning smooth, slippery, flattering. Flattery speaks pleasant falsehoods to manipulate rather than truthful words to help. Proverbs 26:28 warns: "A flattering mouth worketh ruin." Proverbs 29:5 adds: "A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet." Flattery corrupts relationships by replacing honest communication with manipulative smooth-talking.

"And with a double heart do they speak" (belev valev yedabberu, בְּלֵב וָלֵב יְדַבֵּרוּ) literally reads "with heart and heart." The Hebrew uses two lev (heart) words, suggesting divided loyalty, duplicitous intent, saying one thing while meaning another. James 1:8 describes this: "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." Jesus condemned hypocrisy—saying "Lord, Lord" while harboring disobedient hearts (Matthew 7:21). Double-heartedness represents fundamental dishonesty where words and intentions don't align.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Corrupt speech characterizes societies that have abandoned God's ways. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature highly valued truthful, reliable speech. Egyptian wisdom texts emphasized speaking truth. Mesopotamian cultures prized honest dealing. Yet practice often fell short of ideals, with flattery and deception common in royal courts where survival depended on saying what powerful people wanted to hear.

In Israel's history, periods of spiritual decline featured corrupt speech. During Ahab's reign, four hundred prophets flattered the king by promising victory while Micaiah alone spoke truth and was imprisoned (1 Kings 22). During later kingdoms, false prophets flattered the people: "Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14). Political and religious leaders used smooth words to maintain power while leading people to destruction.

David himself experienced betrayal through false words. Absalom flattered the people to steal their hearts (2 Samuel 15:2-6). Ahithophel's counsel, once trusted, turned against David. Throughout his years as fugitive and king, David dealt with flatterers, betrayers, and double-hearted counselors.

The New Testament continues warning against corrupt speech. Paul urged speaking "the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) and warned against "corrupt communication" (Ephesians 4:29). James devoted extensive teaching to taming the tongue (James 3:1-12), noting how small member produces great damage. Jesus condemned religious leaders who spoke pious words while harboring corrupt hearts (Matthew 23).

Early Christians navigated dangerous waters regarding speech. Under Roman persecution, speaking truth about Christ could mean death. Temptation existed to use evasive, flattering words to survive. Yet martyrs chose truthful testimony over self-preserving duplicity. The church has always faced tension between speaking truth prophetically and using smooth words to avoid persecution or gain worldly advantage.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what contexts are you tempted to speak empty words, flattery, or duplicitously rather than speaking truth straightforwardly?
  2. How does social media amplify the problems of vanity, flattery, and double-heartedness in communication?
  3. What is the difference between tactful, gracious speech and flattering, manipulative words, and how can you cultivate the former while avoiding the latter?
  4. How can you develop single-heartedness (alignment between words and intentions) in a culture that often rewards duplicity?
  5. What practices might help align your speech with truth and faithfulness in contexts where corrupt communication has become normalized?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
שָׁ֤וְא׀1 of 10

“vanity”

H7723

evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object

יְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃2 of 10

“They speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אִ֤ישׁ3 of 10

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת4 of 10
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

רֵ֫עֵ֥הוּ5 of 10

“with his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

שְׂפַ֥ת6 of 10

“lips”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

חֲלָק֑וֹת7 of 10

“with flattering”

H2513

properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery

וָלֵ֣ב8 of 10

“and with a double”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וָלֵ֣ב9 of 10

“and with a double”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

יְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃10 of 10

“They speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 12:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 12:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 16:18Jeremiah 9:8Psalms 41:6Psalms 10:7Psalms 144:8Psalms 5:9

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