What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
David composed this psalm in the wilderness of Paran after the death of Samuel. He could not be present at Samuel's burial, yet he mourned him deeply and tenderly as a son mourns a father. Samuel's death had broken another bond of restraint upon Saul and left David feeling less secure with the prophet dead and the king his enemy. While Saul was engaged in mourning for Samuel, David fled to seek a place of greater security, and in those desolate wilds he sang of his help and keeping coming from the Lord.
The question asks what consequence is due to a false tongue. The following verse answers that it will receive sharp arrows and coals of juniper. The false tongue is slander and calumny that will meet its due punishment with hot coals of juniper. Slander flies swiftly, speaks smoothly, and is eagerly listened to and relished. It spreads widely and cannot be stopped by meeting it in one place because it breaks out elsewhere. It never tires, alternates honey and gall, attacks openly or by insinuation as suits the occasion, and hides cursing and poison under smooth words.
The false tongue also includes saying words one does not mean, which must be treated with hot coals of juniper. Such insincere speech belongs with pride, self-esteem, self-importance and satanic traits of character. These must be overcome by seeking the grace of God, submitting to God, and being thoroughly transformed in character in order to be saved.
David composed this psalm in the wilderness of Paran after the death of Samuel. He could not be present at Samuel's burial, yet he mourned him deeply and tenderly as a son mourns a father. Samuel's death had broken another bond of restraint upon Saul and left David feeling less secure with the prophet dead and the king his enemy. While Saul was engaged in mourning for Samuel, David fled to seek a place of greater security, and in those desolate wilds he sang of his help and keeping coming from the Lord.
The question asks what consequence is due to a false tongue. The following verse answers that it will receive sharp arrows and coals of juniper. The false tongue is slander and calumny that will meet its due punishment with hot coals of juniper. Slander flies swiftly, speaks smoothly, and is eagerly listened to and relished. It spreads widely and cannot be stopped by meeting it in one place because it breaks out elsewhere. It never tires, alternates honey and gall, attacks openly or by insinuation as suits the occasion, and hides cursing and poison under smooth words.
The false tongue also includes saying words one does not mean, which must be treated with hot coals of juniper. Such insincere speech belongs with pride, self-esteem, self-importance and satanic traits of character. These must be overcome by seeking the grace of God, submitting to God, and being thoroughly transformed in character in order to be saved.