Category: biblephrases

A fly in the ointment

This week’s phrase is from Ecclesiastes 10:1:

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

An tiny imperfection which spoils the whole.


Eat drink and be merry

This week’s phrase is from Ecclesiastes 8:15:

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

Enjoy life…


For everything there is a season

This week’s phrase is from Ecclesiastes 3:1:

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

The NIV gives a good modern day translation for this one: There is a time for everything…


There’s nothing new under the sun

This week’s phrase is from Ecclesiastes 1:9:

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Self-explanatory really – there’s nothing new.


A soft answer turns away wrath

This week’s phrase is from Proverbs 15:1:

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Speaking gently will not cause another to be angry.


A two-edged sword

This week’s phrase is from Proverbs 5:4:

But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

Double the trouble!


Woe is me

This week’s phrase is from Psalm 120:5:

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

To express a sense of grief.


At his wits end

This week’s phrase is from Psalm 107:27:

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

To be perplexed


Three score and ten

This week’s phrase is from Psalm 90:10:

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

An idiomatic way to say seventy, generally in relation to the length in years of a persons life.


From strength to strength

this week’s phrase is from Psalm 84:7:

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

To go from a position of strength, to an ever stronger position of strength.


Bite the dust

This week’s phrase is from Psalm 72:9:

They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

To perish, to die.


Weighed in the balance

This week’s phrase is from Job 31:6:

“Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”

May I be judged.


A broken heart

This week’s phrase is from Psalm 34:18:

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

To be in deep anguish…


Tender mercies

This week’s phrase is from Psalm 25:6:

Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

Great compassion!


My cup runneth over

This week’s phrase is from Psalm 23:5 (probably the most well-known Psalm):

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

I have what I need in abundance!