Psalm 140 11

Psalm 140:11 kjv

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

Psalm 140:11 nkjv

Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; Let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him."

Psalm 140:11 niv

May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.

Psalm 140:11 esv

Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

Psalm 140:11 nlt

Don't let liars prosper here in our land.
Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.

Psalm 140 verses

Psalm 140 11 Meaning

This verse is a fervent prayer asking God to prevent malicious individuals—those who spread lies and those who commit violence—from gaining any lasting security or influence in the world. It expresses the profound conviction that the very wickedness of the violent man will inevitably pursue him like a hunter, leading to his complete and utter downfall. It's a plea for divine justice to prevail over both verbal and physical evil.

Psalm 140 11 Context

Psalm 140 is a fervent prayer of David, a lament of intense distress seeking God's deliverance from wicked and violent adversaries. David explicitly describes his enemies as plotting evil, speaking deceitfully, and setting traps to cause his downfall. Verse 11 appears within David's petitions for divine justice, asking God to intervene actively on his behalf. It reflects the psalmist's deep trust that God is the ultimate righteous judge who will not allow injustice to triumph indefinitely. The historical context implies David's frequent encounters with those who sought to harm him through slanderous accusations and violent schemes, such as Saul or other rebellious factions. This psalm and verse articulate a foundational biblical principle: despite outward appearances, lasting security and success do not belong to those who reject God's moral order.

Psalm 140 11 Word analysis

• "Let not" (אַל, 'al): This strong negative imperative signifies a direct prayer, a plea for divine prohibition against the flourishing of wickedness.
• "a slanderer" (אִישׁ לָשׁוֹן, 'ish lashon): Literally "man of tongue." This refers to someone characterized by malicious, false, or destructive speech, used to harm reputation, sow discord, or deceive. It highlights the insidious and dangerous power of words misused.
• "be established" (יִכּוֹן, yikkon): From the root כּוּן (kun), meaning to be firm, stable, secure, or to endure. The prayer is that the slanderer should not find permanence, prosperity, or public acceptance and power in society.
• "in the earth" (בָּאָרֶץ, ba'arets): Refers to the land, specifically the populated area, or the earth generally. It signifies the public sphere where influence, standing, and community life take place.
• "evil" (רָע, ra'a): Here, it personifies calamity, misfortune, or the just consequence of wickedness. It represents the retributive aspect of divine judgment or the natural outcome of sin.
• "shall hunt" (יְצוּדֶנּוּ, y'tsudennu): From the root צוּד (tsud), meaning to chase, pursue, or trap like prey. This vivid imagery portrays consequences as an inescapable, relentless pursuer, ensuring the downfall of the wicked.
• "the violent man" (אִישׁ חָמָס, 'ish khamas): Literally "man of violence" or "man of wrong/oppression." This denotes someone characterized by unjust, cruel, or aggressive actions, often involving physical harm, oppression, or intimidation.
• "to overthrow him" (לְמַדְחֵפֹות, lemadhəfôt): From the root דָּחַף (dakhaph), meaning to thrust down, push away, cause to fall. The plural ending indicates a complete and utter ruin, suggesting multiple blows leading to his absolute demise.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Let not a slanderer be established in the earth": This petition targets the subtle, verbal form of evil. It is a prayer for God to ensure that those who employ deceitful and malicious speech to destroy others' reputations or social order do not achieve any lasting power, stability, or perceived success within human society. It counters the worldly view that cunning deception can lead to secure establishment.
• "evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him": This powerful metaphor addresses overt acts of injustice and violence. It proclaims that the destructive forces inherent in a violent life, whether divinely ordained or as a natural consequence, will actively and relentlessly pursue the oppressor, resulting in a devastating and comprehensive ruin from which there is no escape. It speaks to the inevitability of divine justice against aggression.

Psalm 140 11 Bonus section

The pairing of 'ish lashon (man of tongue) and 'ish khamas (man of violence) underscores that biblical wisdom often categorizes both verbal abuse and physical aggression as equally destructive forms of wickedness. It reminds us that sin manifests in diverse ways, from the seemingly less harmful, like slander, to the overtly violent. Yet, God's justice encompasses all forms of moral transgression. While this is an imprecatory psalm, asking for judgment on enemies, its ultimate purpose is not to incite personal vengeance but to uphold God's holiness and His rightful judgment in a world where evil often seems to flourish unchallenged. It teaches reliance on God’s sovereign power to administer justice rather than human retaliation (cf. Rom 12:19).

Psalm 140 11 Commentary

Psalm 140:11 articulates a core principle of divine justice: the wicked will not ultimately prevail. David’s prayer differentiates between two expressions of wickedness—the slanderer, who wounds with words, and the violent man, who inflicts harm through oppressive actions. Both types of evildoers are subject to God's righteous judgment. The imagery of "evil shall hunt" is particularly potent, assuring the psalmist and future readers that divine consequences are not passive but actively pursue the wicked, ensuring their comprehensive ruin. This verse highlights the contrast between the temporary, apparent prosperity of the unrighteous and their ultimate, inescapable downfall. It is a powerful statement of faith in God’s moral governance over the world, emphasizing that His divine order cannot be defied forever without ultimate recompense. This conviction offers comfort and hope to the oppressed, affirming that God actively works to bring justice and set things right.