Psalms 55:21

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter This rendering, though supported by some of the Ancient Versions and commended by the parallelism (smoother than buttersofter than oil), cannot be got out of the text as it stands. This means literally,

Smooth were the buttery words of his mouth.

But an easy emendation gives the sense, His mouth[LXX, face was smoother than butter. Smoothnessis the Heb. term for false and hypocritical flattery, as we speak of a -smooth-faced" or -smooth-tongued" rogue. Cp. Psalms 5:9; Psalms 12:2-3.

but warwas in his heart R.V., but his heart was war.

softer than oil Cp. "smoother than oil" (Proverbs 5:3), of flattering and delusive speeches.

drawn swords Ready to stab their victim to the heart. Cp. Psalms 52:2, note.