Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hosea 10:4

"They speak [vain] words, swearing falsely in making covenants: therefore judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field." — Hosea 10:4 (ASV)

They have spoken words,

What they spoke was not truth. We cannot speak without words, but it is an evil thing when our speech is nothing but words.

Words, words, words! – no heart, no truth. "They have spoken words."

Swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springs up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

God keep us from untruthfulness, and especially from a want of truth towards Himself. Do you not think that often, both in prayer and praise, it might be said, They have spoken words – nothing more? There has been a falsehood in the most solemn transaction towards God.

Woe to you, dear friends, if that should turn out to be the case.

You may cheat your fellow men if you have a heart for it, but you never will be able to cheat your God. He is not mocked. They have spoken words, He says.