BibleWord.ai› Bible› Psalms› Chapter 12› Verse 4

Psalms 12:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 12:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Psalms 12:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Help, Jehovah; for the godly man ceaseth; For the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor: With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.
3Jehovah will cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaketh great things;
4Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; I will set him in the safety he panteth for.
6The words of Jehovah are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times.
7Thou wilt keep them, O Jehovah, Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever.
← Psalms 12:3Psalms 12:5 →
← Full Chapter 12 Psalms Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who have said - Who habitually say. This does not mean that they had formally and openly said this - for none would be likely to do so - but that they had practically and really said this by their conduct. They acted as if it were the real principle on which they framed their lives, that they might use their tongues as they pleased. With our tongue - literally, “as to,” or “in respect to our tongue;” that is, by our tongue. It was by the tongue that they expected to accomplish their purposes. It was not by direct power, or by violence, but by the power of speech. Will we prevail - literally, “We will do mightily;” that is, they would accomplish their purposes. They relied on the power of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Prevail - By raising and spreading evil reports concerning him. Our own - At our own disposal to speak what we please, who can control or restrain us? Psalms 12:5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:4 The words they say reveal the character of the wicked. They deceive and overpower the godly and arrogantly question the Lord’s purposes.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“With: Jer 18:18; Jam 3:5, Jam 3:6 our own: Heb. with us who: Gen 3:5; Exo 5:2; Job 21:14, Job 21:15; Jer 2:31; Dan 3:15; Th2 2:4 Psalms 12:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Psalms 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification