Logos Bible Study

Psalm 120:3–4

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120:3How will he severely punish you,

you deceptive talker?5

120:4Here’s how!6 With the sharp arrows of warriors,

with arrowheads forged over the hot coals.7

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Footnotes

  1. 5 Heb “What will he give to you, and what will he add to you, O tongue of deception?” The psalmist addresses his deceptive enemies. The Lord is the understood subject of the verbs “give” and “add.” The second part of the question echoes a standard curse formula, “thus the Lord/God will do … and thus he will add” (see Ruth 1:17; 1 Sam 3:17; 14:44; 20:13; 25:22; 2 Sam 3:9, 35; 19:13; 1 Kgs 2:23; 2 Kgs 6:31).
  2. 6 The words “here’s how” are supplied in the translation as a clarification. In v. 4 the psalmist answers the question he raises in v. 3.
  3. 7 Heb “with coals of the wood of the broom plant.” The wood of the broom plant was used to make charcoal, which in turn was used to fuel the fire used to forge the arrowheads.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

What shall be given to you,

and what more shall be done to you,

you deceitful tongue?

A warrior’s sharp arrows,

with glowing coals of the broom tree!

NIVNew International Version (2011)

What will he do to you,

and what more besides,

you deceitful tongue?

He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,

with burning coals of the broom bush.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

What will he give you,

and what will he do to you,

you deceitful tongue?

A warrior’s sharp arrows

with burning charcoal!

NLTNew Living Translation

O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you?

How will he increase your punishment?

You will be pierced with sharp arrows

and burned with glowing coals.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

What shall be given to you,

and what more shall be done to you,

deceitful tongue?

The sharpened arrows of a warrior,

with burning charcoals from broom trees.

KJV 1900King James Version

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee,

Thou false tongue?

Sharp arrows of the mighty,

With coals of juniper.