Psalms 120:3What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~1000-500 BC. The psalmist directly addresses the 'deceitful tongue' - likely someone specific who has slandered him, asking what punishment awaits them.
The emotion here: angry but restraining himself from personal revenge
The original word
remiyyah (רְמִיָּה) — calculated deception with intent to harm, treacherous betrayal
Why it matters
Ancient Hebrew poetry often used direct address to enemies as a form of prophetic judgment
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 120:3
This is a rhetorical question - the psalmist knows God will judge, he's not asking for information
Common misconceptionThis sounds vindictive, but it's actually showing restraint - the psalmist is leaving judgment to God instead of taking it into his own hands.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 120:3
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 120:3 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 120:3 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include confrontation, justice. Notable phrases: you deceitful tongue.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Psalms 120:3 mean to you, today?
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