תהלים, פרק י״ב, פסוק ד׳

The destructive power of speech, whether expressed through deceitful flattery or arrogant heresy, lies at the heart of the psalmist's plea to God. The primary approach among commentators is to view the appeal for divine intervention as a prayer, asking God to punish and wipe out those who use smooth, deceitful words [מאירי, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others see it not as a request, but as a prophecy guaranteeing their eventual punishment [אבן עזרא, רד״ק]. Taking a stricter stance, the Talmud interprets this as an absolute divine decree. According to this view, once a person sins with malicious speech, there is no cure and their spiritual severance is already sealed. The only solution is prevention before the sin occurs: a scholar must immerse himself in study, while a common person should practice deep humility [תורה תמימה]. A completely different perspective suggests that the call for destruction is not the psalmist's prayer at all. Instead, it is a direct quote from the deceivers themselves. Desperate to convince others of their honesty and afraid they will not be believed, these manipulators swear an oath, cursing themselves by asking God to cut off anyone who speaks with flattery [אלשיך].

Negative speech is divided into two distinct categories: smooth flattery and arrogant boasting. The boasting is understood by some as expressions of pride and haughtiness [רד״ק, מאירי]. Often, this arrogance is directed at the weak, while smooth flattery is used to win the favor of those in power [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, the boasting refers to speech filled with grand, important-sounding words. The entire purpose of this lofty language is to trick and mislead the listener under a false mask of significance [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד].

A deeper distinction between these two types of speech is rooted in the physical organs of communication: the lips and the tongue. The lips represent external, superficial communication, which corresponds to interpersonal sins committed against fellow human beings. The tongue, however, symbolizes internal, intellectual thought. Therefore, when the tongue speaks grandly, it points to matters of faith. It describes individuals who use false philosophy, twisted logic, and fake investigations to deny religion and lead believers astray [מלבי״ם].