Psalm 35 20

Psalm 35:20 kjv

For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

Psalm 35:20 nkjv

For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful matters Against the quiet ones in the land.

Psalm 35:20 niv

They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.

Psalm 35:20 esv

For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit.

Psalm 35:20 nlt

They don't talk of peace;
they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.

Psalm 35 verses

Psalm 35 20 Meaning

Psalm 35:20 profoundly unveils the malicious character of David's adversaries: their discourse is devoid of true peace, while their inner thoughts are perpetually plotting cunning and deceitful schemes against the unsuspecting and peaceable inhabitants of the land. This verse highlights their deceptive nature, revealing a stark contrast between an outward absence of constructive engagement and an internal, premeditated evil aimed at the innocent.

Psalm 35 20 Context

Psalm 35 is a raw, desperate cry of David to the Lord, pleading for divine justice against his unjust and treacherous enemies. Throughout the psalm, David vividly describes the malice and deceit of those who persecute him without cause, despite his own efforts to live righteously and even show compassion towards them. Verse 20 sharply delineates the character of these adversaries by exposing the contrast between their outward communication and their internal intentions. They are not merely aggressive; they are fundamentally deceptive. This specific verse reveals that their animosity is not incidental, but is rooted in deliberate, calculating malevolence aimed at the vulnerable and innocent. It lays bare the premeditated nature of their evil, setting the stage for David’s subsequent pleas for God to intervene on behalf of the afflicted and vindicate His servant.

Psalm 35 20 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - kī): This introductory particle functions as a conjunction, serving to provide the reason for the Psalmist's urgent plea for God's intervention. It introduces the justification for the charges laid against the enemies.
• they do not speak peace (לֹא שָׁלוֹם יְדַבֵּרוּ - lo shalom y'dabberu):
  • peace (שָׁלוֹם - shalom): This foundational Hebrew term transcends the mere absence of conflict. Shalom signifies completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, security, harmony, and righteousness in relationships. To "not speak shalom" means their communication is devoid of genuine good intentions, true well-being, or moral integrity for others. Their discourse lacks any constructive, healing, or harmonious elements; it might be indifferent, antagonistic, or even deceitful under a veneer of calm.
  • speak (יְדַבֵּרוּ - y'dabberu, from דָּבַר - dabar): Refers to their normal, common way of conversing or declaring. This highlights their verbal output, which is conspicuously lacking in shalom, contrasting starkly with the Lord's desire for true peace.
• but conceive deceitful devices (וְעַל...דִּבְרֵי מִרְמוֹת יַחֲשֹׁבוּן - v'al...dibrey mirmot yachashovun):
  • conceive / devise (יַחֲשֹׁבוּן - yachashovun, from חָשַׁב - chashav): This verb describes a deep, internal mental process of planning, plotting, designing, or reckoning. It emphasizes premeditation and deliberation. Their wickedness is not spontaneous but carefully thought out and strategically executed.
  • deceitful devices / words of deceit (דִּבְרֵי מִרְמוֹת - dibrey mirmot, from מִרְמָה - mirmah):
    • deceit (מִרְמָה - mirmah): Implies cunning, treachery, fraud, and guile. These are actions rooted in deliberate manipulation and betrayal, designed to ensnare or injure by hidden means.
    • The construction "words of deceit" suggests their wicked "devices" are woven into the very fabric of their discourse—false narratives, malicious slanders, cunning traps, or misrepresentations designed to trick or harm. Their speech may not speak peace, but it certainly plots deception.
• against the quiet ones of the land (רִגְעֵי־אֶרֶץ - rig'ei-eretz):
  • quiet ones (רִגְעֵי - rig'ei, from רִגְעָה - rig'ah): This term refers to those characterized by tranquility, rest, peacefulness, or meekness. They are not confrontational, violent, or aggressive. They live quietly, perhaps in trust and dependence upon God, seeking no strife. They are unsuspecting, making them easy and appealing targets for the malicious plots of the wicked, underscoring the egregious nature of the enemies' sin. This points to the vulnerable, the unsuspecting, and potentially the pious who do not engage in the machinations of the wicked.
  • of the land (אֶרֶץ - eretz): Refers to the common populace, the general inhabitants of the country. This highlights that the malice is widespread, affecting ordinary, peaceful people, not just specific rivals. It signifies an attack on social harmony itself.

Psalm 35 20 Bonus section

• The dual aspect of "not speaking peace" and "conceiving deceitful devices" reveals a profound level of duplicity: their speech patterns betray a lack of concern for peace, but their inner intentions are actively malignant, focusing on treachery rather than merely indifference.
• This verse can be seen as an appeal to divine justice against injustice committed by cunning rather than overt force. It highlights a common lament of the righteous in Scripture—that they are often targeted by malicious schemes.
• The "quiet ones of the land" resonates with the biblical theme of God's concern for the humble, the meek, and the oppressed who often become victims of those in power or influence. It speaks to God's heart for those who rely on Him and eschew worldly power games.

Psalm 35 20 Commentary

Psalm 35:20 is a profound exposé of a wicked heart. It paints a chilling picture of adversaries whose public facade, or the simple absence of genuine peace in their communication, utterly betrays their inner depravity. The true venom lies not in what they say, which might be nothing about "peace," but in what they secretly conceive and devise. Their minds are not inclined towards honest interaction or societal good; instead, they are fertile ground for insidious and treacherous schemes. The targets of their plotting, the "quiet ones of the land," highlight the absolute moral depravity of these enemies. They attack the very individuals who are most peaceable, innocent, and unthreatening – those who simply desire to live without conflict. This reveals a calculating, cowardly evil that preys on vulnerability rather than confronting strength. The verse serves as a sober warning that not all who appear calm, or who avoid direct conflict, are benign; true malice often works in the hidden recesses of the heart, fabricating destructive deceit against those who pose no threat.