Psalm 109 2

Psalm 109:2 kjv

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

Psalm 109:2 nkjv

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

Psalm 109:2 niv

for people who are wicked and deceitful have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.

Psalm 109:2 esv

For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.

Psalm 109:2 nlt

while the wicked slander me
and tell lies about me.

Psalm 109 verses

Psalm 109 2 Meaning

Psalm 109:2 portrays the psalmist as being under severe verbal assault. It indicates that wicked and deceitful individuals have unleashed unrestrained false accusations, slander, and malicious lies against him. Their words are intentionally deceptive and aimed at causing harm, demonstrating an absence of truth and integrity in their interactions with the psalmist.

Psalm 109 2 Context

Psalm 109 is a Davidic psalm, classified as an imprecatory psalm. It is a lament in which the psalmist, traditionally King David, cries out to God against relentless enemies who not only speak evil but actively plot against him. This specific verse (v. 2) introduces the primary means of attack employed by his adversaries: verbal deceit and lies. It paints a picture of being constantly subjected to slander and false accusations, likely in a public or judicial context, designed to undermine his character, reputation, or even his life. David’s life was marked by frequent opposition and betrayal from figures like Saul, Doeg the Edomite, Absalom, and Shimei, making such an experience profoundly personal. The psalm expresses the agony of the innocent suffering from malicious verbal abuse and injustice, necessitating a plea for divine intervention.

Psalm 109 2 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction serves as a causal link, explaining why the psalmist is in distress (as stated in v.1: "My God, do not be silent"). It indicates that the following statement is the basis for his plea.
• mouth of (פִּי - pi): Hebrew pi refers directly to the opening of the mouth. Its use emphasizes the direct source of the hostile words, signifying that the attacks are personal and intentional. The "opening" of the mouth suggests an unbridled, unrestrained outpouring of words.
• wicked (רָשָׁע - rasha'): This term describes an individual who is morally guilty, acting contrary to God's standards and justice. It signifies someone hostile to the righteous, deliberately engaging in ungodly actions, in this case, malicious speech.
• and the mouth of (וּפִי - u-pi): The repetition ("mouth of the wicked and mouth of the deceitful") is a form of parallelism, intensifying the nature of the adversaries and the gravity of their verbal assault. It underscores a combined and multi-faceted attack.
• deceitful (מִרְמָה - mirmah): Derived from a root meaning "to betray" or "to defraud," this word denotes treachery, guile, or fraud. It highlights that the enemies' words are not simply mistaken or accidental, but calculated to mislead and harm. This signifies deliberate, cunning, and misleading speech.
• are opened (פָּתְחוּ - patekhu): This verb means "they have opened" or "they spread open." It implies that their mouths are unrestrained, possibly indicating a loud, aggressive, and continuous barrage of accusations. It speaks of an uncontrolled torrent of negative speech.
• against me (עָלַי - alay): This preposition clearly indicates the direct target of their malicious speech. The attacks are personal, aimed specifically at the psalmist's reputation, standing, or very life.
• they have spoken (דִּבְּרוּ - dibberu): From the verb "to speak," this highlights a deliberate act of vocalizing words. It's not just thoughts or whispers but open, declared statements. This contrasts with casual talk, pointing to calculated verbal aggression.
• with me (אִתִּי - itti): While typically meaning "with" in accompaniment, in this context, when combined with "spoken against," it carries an adversarial or accusatory meaning, "spoken against me" or "concerning me" in a hostile way. It denotes the direct application of their deceitful speech towards the psalmist.
• a lying tongue (לְשׁוֹן שָׁקֶר - leshon shaqer): "Leshon" means "tongue," the organ of speech, emphasizing its power. "Shaqer" means "falsehood," "deception," or "untruth." This phrase is crucial; it explicitly labels their verbal attacks as untrue, dishonest, and fabricated. It directly implies false accusations, often with judicial or public condemnation in view, fundamentally opposing God's truth.

Psalm 109 2 Bonus section

• Judicial Ramifications: The language, especially "lying tongue" and "deceitful," strongly implies that the verbal assault could extend beyond mere gossip to false accusations within a legal or community setting. In ancient Near Eastern societies, such public slander or false testimony could have severe social, legal, and even life-threatening consequences for the accused.
• Internal Origin of Evil: The verse connects the malicious words directly to the internal character ("wicked" and "deceitful") of the speaker. This aligns with biblical theology, which teaches that harmful speech originates from the heart (cf. Mt 12:34), demonstrating the deep corruption within these adversaries.
• Contrast with Divine Nature: The "lying tongue" and "mouth of deceit" stand in direct opposition to God's nature, who is truth (Deut 32:4, Jn 14:6) and whose word is truth (Ps 119:160). This spiritual dimension elevates the conflict beyond mere interpersonal dispute.
• Typological Resonance: While primarily David's lament, the suffering from unjust and deceitful verbal attacks described here foreshadows the experiences of other righteous individuals and, preeminently, Jesus Christ, who endured perfect hatred and slander without cause.

Psalm 109 2 Commentary

Psalm 109:2 profoundly captures the pain of being unjustly targeted by malicious verbal attacks. The psalmist vividly describes his adversaries, not just as "wicked" in a general sense, but specifically "deceitful," whose words are "lying tongues." This dual description emphasizes that their hostility stems from both a morally corrupt character and an active intention to deceive. The imagery of "opened mouths" conveys the unrestrained nature of their slander; their accusations are not hidden but unleashed with unbridled venom and persistence.

This verse speaks to the common experience of suffering from character assassination, false testimony, and pervasive falsehoods aimed at discrediting an innocent person. It underscores the profound harm that words can inflict, portraying them as potent weapons wielded by the wicked. The psalmist's plea is born from this acute distress, recognizing that human means cannot effectively counter such insidious attacks, thus prompting a direct appeal to God, the ultimate Judge of truth and falsehood. It mirrors the experience of Christ, who endured countless baseless accusations and slanders throughout His earthly ministry. The verse ultimately highlights the stark contrast between the innocent sufferer and those who stand against God's truth with their deceitful words.