Psalm 31 18

Psalm 31:18 kjv

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Psalm 31:18 nkjv

Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Psalm 31:18 niv

Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

Psalm 31:18 esv

Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.

Psalm 31:18 nlt

Silence their lying lips ?
those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 18 Meaning

This verse is a heartfelt plea from David, who is in profound distress and subjected to malicious slander. He prays that God would silence the deceitful tongues of his adversaries, those who speak harsh, arrogant, and contemptuous words against him, specifically because he walks in righteousness. It expresses a desire for divine justice, where the wicked's power to inflict harm through falsehood is nullified, and God's upright character is vindicated through His intervention. It's a cry for the cessation of verbal abuse rooted in pride and scorn, asking for God to render such injurious speech utterly ineffective and the speakers mute.

Psalm 31 18 Context

Psalm 31 is a poignant psalm of lament and trust, depicting King David's deep distress while surrounded by enemies. He faces persecution, feels abandoned by friends, is afflicted by sickness, and subjected to public scorn and malicious whispers. This particular verse arises from his desperate plea for divine deliverance and vindication amidst this profound suffering. The chapter describes his enemies' intent to trap him, their cruel gossip, and their desire to destroy him. David pours out his soul to God, acknowledging Him as his rock and fortress (Ps 31:3), ultimately resolving to trust in the Lord despite his desperate circumstances. Verse 18 is a prayer for God to actively intervene and silence the hateful, prideful words that wound his spirit and undermine his standing. Historically, David often faced slander and rebellion, notably from figures like Doeg the Edomite (1 Sam 22:9-10), Ahithophel (2 Sam 15:31), and Absalom's conspirators (2 Sam 15:3-6), all of whom used deceptive or contemptuous words against him. The prayer reflects a call for God's justice against those who presumptuously speak evil against His anointed one and, by extension, against His divine order.

Psalm 31 18 Word analysis

• Let the lying lips

  • Lying (שֶׁקֶר - sheqer): Denotes falsehood, deception, vanity. It speaks of something utterly unreliable and untruthful, intended to mislead or harm. In the Bible, lies are inherently against God's truth (Ps 52:3, Prov 6:17).
  • Lips (שִׂפְתֵי - siftei): Metonymy for speech, testimony, or communication itself. It emphasizes the source and instrument of the malicious words. The focus is not just on the thoughts but on the utterance.

• be put to silence

  • Be put to silence (תֵּאָלַםְנָה - te'alamnah): From the root 'alam (אַלַם), meaning to bind, be speechless, mute, or silent. It signifies not merely a cessation of speaking by choice but a divine act of imposing silence, rendering them ineffective or incapacitated. It suggests divine judgment that stops their harmful activity and exposes their futility (Ps 35:25, Ps 63:11). This is an appeal for God to literally "gag" their malicious tongues, demonstrating His control and justice.

• which speak grievous things

  • Speak (הַדֹּבְרוֹת - haddovrot): This highlights the active and continuous nature of their harmful communication. It's not a single incident but a pattern of malicious speech.
  • Grievous (עָתָק - 'athaq): Literally "ancient" or "presumptuous." In this context, it signifies words that are arrogant, defiant, impudent, hard, or oppressive. These are words that overstep proper bounds, uttered with a bold and unrestrained arrogance, causing deep pain and offense (Ps 94:4, 1 Sam 2:3).

• proudly and contemptuously

  • Proudly (גַאֲוָה - ga'avah): From ga'ah (גָּאָה), meaning to rise up, to be majestic, or exalted. Here, it conveys haughtiness, insolence, self-exaltation. It describes speech motivated by an inflated sense of self-importance and disregard for others or God's authority (Prov 8:13).
  • Contemptuously (בְּבוּז - bəvuz): From buz (בּוּז), to despise, scorn, treat with disdain or mockery. It implies that the words are uttered with utter disrespect and derision for the righteous, diminishing their worth in their own eyes (Ps 123:3-4).

• against the righteous

  • Against (עַל - 'al): Indicates direction and opposition. The venom of the speech is directed specifically toward the upright.
  • Righteous (צַדִּיק - tzaddiq): One who is just, upright, vindicated, or in right relationship with God. This designation often implies moral integrity and faithfulness, despite their suffering. Their righteousness makes them targets for those who are alienated from God's ways (Ps 34:19, Ps 37:12).

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "Let the lying lips be put to silence": This is a petition for divine judgment against falsehood and deceit. It asks for God to neutralize the primary weapon of the wicked – their words. The silencing is not merely human censorship, but a sovereign act of God rendering the source of harm powerless and mute, often implying shame or a divine imposition of inability to speak further lies. This serves both to protect the innocent and to glorify God's truth.
  • "which speak grievous things": This phrase elaborates on the nature of the "lying lips," detailing their specific offense. Their speech is characterized by its insolence and oppressiveness. It is not just casual gossip but weighty, impactful words intended to cause severe damage, showing a defiant attitude that ignores boundaries and truth.
  • "proudly and contemptuously": These adverbs describe the motive and attitude behind the slander. The malicious words are not accidental but flow from a heart filled with arrogance and disdain. The proud speak from a position of perceived superiority, while the contemptuous speak from a place of utter disrespect. This dual emphasis highlights the deep-seated spiritual rebellion that fuels their verbal attacks against those who align with God's ways.
  • "against the righteous": This clarifies the target of the verbal assault. The wicked specifically direct their venom towards those who are upright in God's eyes. This makes the sin particularly heinous, as it is an attack not just on an individual but implicitly on God's character, whom the righteous represent. The suffering of the righteous at the hands of such words prompts a plea for divine vindication.

Psalm 31 18 Bonus section

The plea for silencing is often understood in various biblical contexts, from literal speechlessness to the ultimate cessation of influence or destruction. For example, in the Book of Acts, God silences those who oppose His truth (e.g., Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5; Elymas, Acts 13:8-12), showcasing direct divine intervention against deceitful speech that undermines righteousness. This concept of silencing echoes the prophetic hope that in the Messianic age, the mouths of all wickedness will be stopped. Furthermore, the malice of the "lying lips" speaks to a foundational biblical understanding of sin, where words are not neutral but carry immense power for good or ill, reflecting the heart (Lk 6:45). This verse emphasizes that verbal abuse is a serious offense in God's eyes, and those who wield their tongues with pride and contempt against the righteous are inviting divine retribution. The request in this Psalm foreshadows the complete triumph of God's truth over all falsehood and arrogance in the Kingdom.

Psalm 31 18 Commentary

Psalm 31:18 encapsulates David's profound trust in God as the ultimate defender of the righteous against malicious speech. It is a prayer born from deep affliction, where words, specifically slander and contemptuous remarks, have become powerful instruments of suffering. David appeals to God's inherent justice, asking Him to bring an end to the verbal attacks that proceed from hearts consumed by pride and scorn. The request for "silence" is not merely a wish for the enemies to stop speaking, but for God to definitively neutralize their power and nullify their influence, effectively putting an end to their campaign of deceit. This silencing acts as a divine vindication of the righteous, proving their accusers false and rendering their haughty, baseless assertions impotent. It serves as a reminder that God, who hates lying lips, will ultimately judge those who use their tongues to oppose truth and persecute His people, turning their boasted power into shame and muteness. It’s a cry for a spiritual, verbal battle to cease through divine intervention.

• Examples for practical usage:
  • When unjustly slandered or misrepresented, one can pray for God to reveal the truth and quiet the accusers.
  • In situations where individuals boast arrogantly or speak disparagingly about faith or believers, one can trust God to expose their folly and hinder their harmful influence.
  • When witnessing public figures or institutions using deceitful and contemptuous language against morally upright individuals or principles, one can seek God's righteous hand to bring their falsehoods to nothing.