Psalms 12:2 Meaning and Explanation
“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →People speak falsehoods to one another, using flattery and deception with divided hearts.
The Context of Psalms 12:2
The pervasiveness of dishonest speech undermines human relationships.
What Does Psalms 12:2 Mean?
The psalm moves from shortage of righteous people to the active corruption of human speech. Vanity—idle, meaningless words—characterize everyday conversation. Flattering lips and double hearts reveal a fundamental dishonesty in human relationships.
This duplicity is both external and internal: outward flattery paired with inward falsehood. The double heart suggests people who say one thing while intending another, making trust impossible and genuine community fragile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 12:2
What does Psalms 12:2 mean?
People speak falsehoods to one another, using flattery and deception with divided hearts.
What is the context of Psalms 12:2?
The pervasiveness of dishonest speech undermines human relationships.