Psalms 55:21

“[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, etc.] Such were the words of Ahithophel, when in counsel with David; and such the words of Judas, when he said to Christ, “hail, master”, and kissed him, (<402649>Matthew 26:49); but war [was] in his heart; even a civil war, rebellion against his prince; that was what Ahithophel meditated in his heart; and nothing less than to take away the life of Christ was designed by Judas. The words may be rendered, “they were divided” f729; that is, his mouth and his heart: “his mouth [was] butter, and his heart war”; the one declared for peace, when the other intended war; (see <240908>Jeremiah 9:8); his words were softer than oil; at one time full…”

“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter - Prof. Alexander renders this, “Smooth are the butterings of his mouth.” This is in accordance with the Hebrew, but the general meaning is well expressed in our common version. The idea is, that he was a hypocrite; that his professions of friendship were false; that he only used pleasant words - words expressive of friendship and love - to deceive and betray. We have a similar expression when we speak of “honeyed words,” or “honeyed accents.” This would apply to Ahithophel, and it will apply to thousands of similar cases in the world. But war was in his heart - He was base, treacherous, false. He was really my enemy, and was ready, when any…”

“The words: Psa 28:3, Psa 57:4, Psa 62:4, Psa 64:3; Pro 5:3, Pro 5:4, Pro 12:18, Pro 26:24-26, Pro 26:28; Mat 26:25; Luk 20:20, Luk 20:21 war: Joh 13:2 Psalms 55:22”