John Gill Commentary Psalms 55:21

"His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords." — Psalms 55:21 (ASV)

[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter
Such were the words of Ahithophel, when in counsel with David; and such the words of Judas, when he said to Christ, "hail, master", and kissed him, (Matthew 26:49) ;

but war [was] in his heart ;
even a civil war, rebellion against his prince; that was what Ahithophel meditated in his heart; and nothing less than to take away the life of Christ was designed by Judas. The words may be rendered, "they were divided" ^F5 ; that is, his mouth and his heart: "his mouth [was] butter, and his heart war"; the one declared for peace, when the other intended war; see (Jeremiah 9:8) ;

his words were softer than oil ;
at one time full of soothing and flattery:

yet [were] they drawn swords :
at another time sharp and cutting, breathing out threatening and slaughter, destruction and death.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F5: (wqlx) (diemerisyhsan) , Sept. "divisi sunt", V. L. Hammond.