The threat named in the verse is verbal: “lying lips” and “a deceitful tongue.” The parallel wording keeps the focus tight—harmful speech is not treated as a minor annoyance but as something that can damage life in serious ways.

Where interpretation differs (only where needed)

Some readers take “my soul” to mean primarily the inner self (emotional and spiritual distress). Others hear it as the whole life, including external safety and standing in the community.

Some also differ on what kind of deceit is in view. It could be slander and reputation-damage, false testimony that leads to legal trouble, betrayal within close relationships, or a broader social environment where speech cannot be trusted.

Why the disagreement exists The verse is brief and does not describe the setting, the speakers’ opponents, or the consequences of the lies. The Hebrew term often translated “soul” can refer to the inner life or to the person as a whole, so the wording supports more than one emphasis without settling it.

What this passage clearly contributes Explicitly, the text presents deceitful speech as a real, active threat and frames Yahweh as the proper address for deliverance (Psalm 120:2). By naming “lying lips” and a “deceitful tongue,” it highlights that words can function like weapons in community life, and that the psalmist expects God’s help when speech is used to harm.

tongue (mil·lā·šō·wn)