Psalm 140 3

Psalm 140:3 kjv

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

Psalm 140:3 nkjv

They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah

Psalm 140:3 niv

They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.

Psalm 140:3 esv

They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

Psalm 140:3 nlt

Their tongues sting like a snake;
the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Interlude

Psalm 140 verses

Psalm 140 3 Meaning

Psalm 140:3 vividly describes the destructive nature of the wicked enemies' speech. It portrays their words as intentionally sharpened and ready to inflict harm, likening them to the stealthy and deadly venom of a serpent or adder. The verse emphasizes the hidden and ever-present malice beneath their words, designed to poison, injure, and corrupt those they speak against.

Psalm 140 3 Context

Psalm 140 is a fervent prayer of lament by David, seeking deliverance from wicked, violent, and deceitful enemies who constantly plot his downfall. The entire psalm highlights the aggressive nature of his adversaries and their verbal assaults. Verse 3, therefore, serves as a core description of these enemies' primary weapon: their words. They are portrayed not as accidentally offensive, but deliberately sharpened, like a crafted weapon, to pierce and inflict pain, with hidden malice and a desire to spread their venomous lies. The broader context of the Psalm is a plea for God's protection and justice against those who actively seek to ensnare the righteous through both physical violence and verbal treachery.

Psalm 140 3 Word analysis

• They sharpen: שָׁנְנוּ (shan'nu) - This Hebrew verb implies a deliberate action of making something sharp, like whetting a blade. It signifies intention and preparation. Their tongues are not sharp by accident, but made so, reflecting a calculated malevolence in their speech, designed to cut, injure, or accuse with precision.
• their tongues: לְשׁוֹנָם (leshonam) - Refers to the organ of speech, but metaphorically stands for the words, speech, or language itself. Here, it is explicitly presented as a weapon.
• like a serpent: כְמוֹ־ נָחָשׁ (chemo-nachash) - The serpent (נָחָשׁ) is a powerful ancient symbol often associated with deception, treachery, and hidden danger, going back to Genesis 3. Its silent, slithering approach, sudden strike, and venomous bite are characteristics directly applied to the enemies' speech. It denotes insidious, treacherous words aimed at corrupting or destroying.
• adders': צֶפַע (tzepha) - A viper or poisonous snake, specifically implying a highly venomous serpent. This reinforces the deadliness of the analogy.
• poison: חֲמַת (chemat) - Can mean heat, wrath, fury, or poison/venom. In this context, it unequivocally refers to the lethal substance produced by a viper, signifying words that are inherently destructive and corrupting, leading to ruin or death.
• is under: תַּחַת (tachat) - Signifies "beneath," "under," or "instead of." Its use here implies that the poison is hidden or latent, ready to be unleashed at any moment. It suggests the insidious and deceptive nature of the verbal assault, not immediately visible but always present.
• their lips: שְׂפָתֵימוֹ (sephateymo) - Refers to the lips or mouth, the organ from which speech emanates. The phrase "under their lips" indicates that the deadly words are just on the verge of being uttered, prepared and held, ready to spring forth unexpectedly. It speaks to a deep-seated malice that is always near the surface.

• "They sharpen their tongues like a serpent": This phrase paints a picture of deliberate, insidious preparation of words. It implies calculated verbal attacks, not mere impulsive remarks. Like a serpent preparing to strike, these enemies ready their words for maximum, often unexpected, impact, hinting at both cunning and a desire for lethal effect.
• "adders' poison is under their lips": This extends the serpentine metaphor to highlight the destructive content and outcome of their words. It's not just that their speech is sharp, but it's fundamentally toxic. The poison hidden "under their lips" suggests that the venom is inherent to their very being or intention; it's a latent malice waiting to contaminate or kill, ready to flow effortlessly from their mouths. This reflects their corrupt heart, from which poisonous words flow.

Psalm 140 3 Bonus section

The imagery of the serpent and its venom in Psalm 140:3 resonates deeply with the earliest biblical narratives, particularly the Fall in Genesis, where the serpent's deceptive words introduce sin and death into the world. This connection suggests a long-standing understanding within Hebrew thought of the tongue, when wielded by malicious intent, as a tool for evil that directly opposes God's truth and goodness. The "sharpening" of the tongue implies not just quick delivery but also the precision and piercing effect, much like a sword or an arrow that cuts deeply and fatally. Furthermore, the term for poison (חֵמָה - chema) can also convey "fury" or "hot anger," linking the venomous words to the passionate, destructive rage or bitter jealousy that fuels the wicked. This illustrates that malicious speech is often rooted in deep-seated unrighteous anger and a desire to cause spiritual and relational harm, reflecting a heart contrary to God's love and truth.

Psalm 140 3 Commentary

Psalm 140:3 provides a profound spiritual insight into the destructive nature of verbal malice. It underscores that the words of the wicked are not merely careless but are intentionally weaponized, crafted with the specific aim of causing harm. The double simile—the tongue like a sharpened serpent and lips concealing adder's poison—amplifies the insidious, deceitful, and lethal quality of their speech. It speaks to a deliberate malevolence residing in the heart of the adversaries, which manifests through their words. Such speech is characterized by its capacity to deceive, to attack covertly, and to leave a lasting, corrosive effect, similar to how venom can spread and damage from within. This verse calls believers to recognize the profound danger of unbridled speech and to pray for protection from those whose words carry such potent and spiritual venom. It also serves as a potent reminder of the transformative power the tongue possesses for both blessing and cursing, highlighting that evil words originate from an evil heart, ever ready to deploy their hidden poison.