THEOSISGregory the Great
When wrongdoing is appealing to the wicked, it remains concealed beneath the surface of their speech, as noted in Job 20:12. The allure of sin captivates the hypocrite because he savors its flavor in his thoughts. The 'mouth' of the heart signifies the mind, as articulated in Psalm 11:3, where it states that a deceitful heart expresses malevolence through wicked speech. The insidious nature of this wrongdoing is obscured beneath the tongue, hidden as if beneath a soft facade. The true malice resides in the tongue and becomes evident when the hypocrite, in his utterances, betrays the craftiness of his deceptive heart.
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In contrast, when the righteous witness someone deserving of reprimand, they may harshly express their disapproval, yet underneath their rebuke lies the kindness of their hearts. This is reflected in the message to the Holy Church conveyed by the Bridegroom in Song of Songs 4:11, where it is stated that honey and milk are beneath the tongue—indicating that they refrain from revealing their inner sweetness to those who are vulnerable. Thus, when they speak sternly, they may also impart gentle words, which may aid in renewing and uplifting the downtrodden spirit.
Conversely, the wicked harbor their malevolence not in spoken word but in silence beneath their tongue; their speech may be adorned with sweetness, while their hearts concoct schemes of evil. This is illustrated in the account of Joab, who, while ostensibly showing affection by grasping the beard of Amasa with his right hand, concealed his intent to attack with his left, as recorded in 2 Kings 20:9. He feigned kindness while preparing to deliver a treacherous blow. Thus, Scripture rightly asserts in Psalm 9:28 that "Under his tongue is evil and pain," highlighting that the malevolence he devises remains hidden, unvoiced against those he seeks to harm, as it lies tucked away beneath his tongue. The following insights further elaborate on this hypocritical nature.