Psalms 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the mouth {H6310} of the wicked {H7563} and the mouth {H6310} of the deceitful {H4820} are opened {H6605} against me: they have spoken {H1696} against me with a lying {H8267} tongue {H3956}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me, spoken against me with lying tongues,

Berean Standard Bible

For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues.

American Standard Version

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me: They have spoken unto me with a lying tongue.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 109:2 vividly expresses the psalmist's profound anguish stemming from the relentless verbal assaults of his adversaries. This verse establishes the core complaint of the psalm, detailing how the "mouth of the wicked" and the "mouth of the deceitful" are "opened" against him, unleashing a torrent of falsehoods through a "lying tongue." It immediately sets a tone of intense personal suffering and a desperate plea for divine intervention against malicious and slanderous enemies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 109 stands as one of the most fervent of the imprecatory psalms, a sub-genre of laments characterized by intense appeals for divine judgment against enemies. It immediately follows [Psalm 108](/psalms/108 "Psalm 108 - A Prayer for Victory"), a psalm of praise and confidence in God's help, and precedes [Psalm 110](/psalms/110 "Psalm 110 - A Messianic Psalm"), a pivotal messianic prophecy. Verse 2 serves as the initial, foundational complaint within this lament, articulating the specific nature of the psalmist's distress—not physical violence, but a devastating campaign of verbal abuse and false accusations. This opening complaint sets the stage for the psalmist's subsequent, often severe, prayers for God's justice against those who have so cruelly slandered him. The intensity of the language here justifies the strong imprecations that follow, presenting the psalmist as an innocent victim of profound injustice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David, the exact historical setting for Psalm 109 is debated, though it resonates with periods of intense persecution and betrayal in David's life, such as during Absalom's rebellion or Saul's relentless pursuit. In ancient Near Eastern societies, honor and reputation were paramount, and verbal assaults, false accusations, and slander could be as destructive as physical violence, leading to social ostracism, legal condemnation, or even death. The "lying tongue" was particularly abhorrent, as truthfulness was a cornerstone of justice and community. To have one's "mouth opened" against another implied a public, unbridled, and malicious campaign of defamation, designed to undermine the victim's standing and integrity. The psalmist's appeal to God reflects the cultural understanding that ultimate justice resided with the divine, especially when human avenues for vindication were blocked or corrupted.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several key themes that permeate not only Psalm 109 but much of the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Verbal Assault and Slander**, highlighting the destructive power of words when wielded with malice and deceit. This is closely linked to the theme of **Innocent Suffering and Unjust Persecution**, where the righteous individual, through no fault of their own, becomes the target of wicked schemes. The psalmist's cry is ultimately an appeal for **Divine Justice and Vindication**, trusting that God, who sees all and knows the truth, will intervene on behalf of the oppressed. This theme of God's justice against those who speak falsely is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in [Psalm 35](/psalms/35 "Psalm 35 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies") where David prays for deliverance from false witnesses, and in [Psalm 58](/psalms/58 "Psalm 58 - A Prayer for Justice Against the Wicked") where he calls for God to break the teeth of the wicked. These themes underscore the spiritual battle against falsehood and the ultimate reliance on God for truth and righteousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mouth (Hebrew, _peh'_):** More than just a physical organ, "mouth" here signifies the source of speech, intent, and character. It emphasizes that the words spoken are not accidental but flow from the very nature and malicious intent of the enemies. It is the instrument through which their wickedness and deceit are unleashed.
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _rasha'_):** This term describes individuals who are morally corrupt, guilty, and actively unrighteous. They are not merely mistaken but are in deliberate opposition to God's ways and His people. Their "mouth" is "wicked" because their character is inherently evil, driving their malicious speech.
* **Deceitful (Hebrew, _mirmah'_):** This word denotes treachery, cunning, fraud, and dissimulation. It implies a deliberate intention to mislead, trick, or betray. The enemies are not simply mistaken; they are employing calculated falsehoods and cunning strategies to harm the psalmist, making their verbal attacks particularly insidious.
* **Lying (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** This term directly means falsehood or untruth. The "lying tongue" is a clear and unambiguous accusation that the words spoken against the psalmist are utterly false, designed to deceive, defame, and destroy his reputation. It highlights the deliberate nature of the slander.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the mouth of the wicked":** This phrase identifies the source of the attack as inherently evil individuals whose very nature is contrary to God's righteousness. Their words are not just hostile but originate from a place of moral corruption.
* **"and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me":** This expands on the nature of the adversaries, emphasizing their cunning and treacherous character. The verb "opened" (פָּצָה, _patsah'_) suggests a wide, unbridled, and continuous outpouring of words, indicating a relentless and unrestrained campaign of verbal assault. It implies a public and aggressive declaration of their malicious intent.
* **"they have spoken against me with a lying tongue":** This specifies the exact nature of the verbal attack: it is slander, falsehood, and calumny. The "lying tongue" is the instrument of their deceit, directly contradicting truth and aiming to mislead others and harm the psalmist's reputation and standing. This clause reiterates the deliberate and destructive intent behind their words.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 109:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the psalmist's distress. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "mouth" and "tongue" to represent the entire person or, more specifically, their speech and character. This highlights that the verbal assault is not merely incidental but flows from the very being of the wicked and deceitful. **Synonymous Parallelism** is prominently featured, with "the mouth of the wicked" paralleling "the mouth of the deceitful," and "are opened against me" reinforced by "they have spoken against me with a lying tongue." This repetition and restatement of similar ideas intensify the sense of a pervasive and relentless attack. The phrase "opened against me" can also be seen as a form of **Personification**, giving agency to the "mouth" as if it were an active, aggressive entity. Furthermore, the vivid imagery of a "lying tongue" and a mouth "opened" against the psalmist creates a strong sense of threat and vulnerability, emphasizing the devastating impact of these verbal assaults.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The psalmist's suffering from the "mouth of the wicked" and "lying tongue" in Psalms 109:2 resonates deeply with the biblical emphasis on the power of speech and God's character as truth. The Lord consistently condemns falsehood and deceit, viewing a lying tongue as an abomination because it undermines justice, destroys trust, and distorts reality, which ultimately reflects an opposition to His own nature. This verse underscores that verbal attacks are not trivial but are serious offenses against both human integrity and divine order. The psalmist's lament is therefore not just a personal complaint but an appeal to God's righteous character, trusting that the God of truth will ultimately expose and judge those who propagate lies and injustice. It highlights the vulnerability of the righteous in a fallen world where truth is often assailed, and the profound need for divine vindication.

* [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16 "Proverbs 6:16-19 - Seven Things the Lord Hates")
* [Psalm 35:11](/psalms/35-11 "Psalm 35:11 - False Witnesses Rise Up")
* [Psalm 120:2](/psalms/120-2 "Psalm 120:2 - Deliverance from Lying Lips")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 109:2 offers a timeless mirror for understanding and navigating the pain of verbal assault in our own lives. In an age of instant communication and pervasive social media, the "mouth of the wicked" and the "lying tongue" can inflict damage with unprecedented speed and reach, whether through gossip, slander, false accusations, or online defamation. This verse reminds us that such attacks are not new, and that the emotional and spiritual toll they exact is profound. Like the psalmist, we are called to acknowledge the deep hurt caused by malicious words and to recognize that righteous living can often attract unrighteous opposition. Rather than retaliating in kind or succumbing to despair, the psalmist's example encourages us to turn our distress into a fervent prayer, entrusting our vindication to God, who is the ultimate arbiter of truth and justice. This psalm calls us to cultivate integrity in our own speech, recognizing the immense power of words to build up or tear down, and to extend empathy and support to those who suffer from verbal abuse.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when I am falsely accused, slandered, or become the target of malicious gossip?**
* **In what ways can I ensure that my own "mouth" and "tongue" are used for truth and edification, rather than for wickedness or deceit?**
* **How does this psalm encourage me to trust in God's ultimate justice when I feel unjustly attacked or misrepresented?**
* **What practical steps can I take to support or pray for others who are suffering from verbal abuse or false accusations?**

### FAQ

**Why is "mouth" emphasized so strongly in this verse?**

Answer: The emphasis on "mouth" signifies that the verbal assault is not merely a casual remark but a deliberate, open, and continuous outpouring of malicious words. In ancient thought, the mouth was seen as the source of a person's character and intent. By highlighting the "mouth of the wicked" and "mouth of the deceitful," the psalmist underscores that the attacks flow from the very nature and evil intentions of his adversaries, making the assault deeply personal and insidious. It implies a public and unbridled campaign of defamation.

**Is this psalm advocating for personal vengeance against enemies?**

Answer: While the language of Psalm 109, particularly in its imprecations, can sound harsh, it is crucial to understand it as a prayer to God, not a call for personal vengeance. The psalmist is entrusting his cause to the divine judge, appealing for God's justice to be enacted. He is not taking matters into his own hands but is expressing a deep conviction that God will ultimately vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked according to His perfect righteousness. This is a plea for divine intervention, not a license for personal retaliation.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of "spiritual warfare"?**

Answer: This verse is highly relevant to spiritual warfare because it highlights the insidious nature of verbal attacks, particularly those involving lies and deceit. The Bible identifies the devil as the "father of lies" ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Father of Lies")), and his schemes often involve slander, false accusations, and the distortion of truth to demoralize believers and undermine faith. The "lying tongue" described in Psalms 109:2 can be seen as a manifestation of this spiritual opposition, designed to attack the psalmist's reputation, standing, and relationship with God. Recognizing this allows believers to frame such experiences within a broader spiritual context and to seek divine protection and truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 109:2 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's lament over being assailed by the "mouth of the wicked" and a "lying tongue" perfectly foreshadows the experience of the Messiah. Jesus, the perfectly innocent and righteous one, was relentlessly subjected to false accusations, slander, and deceit from the religious leaders and His enemies throughout His ministry. They "opened their mouths against Him" with countless fabrications, seeking to discredit Him and ultimately condemn Him to death. The Gospels record numerous instances of false witnesses rising against Him, as seen during His trial before the Sanhedrin where "false witnesses came forward" to testify against Him ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")). Yet, in the face of such malicious verbal assault, Jesus responded not with retaliation, but with truth and often with silence, fulfilling the prophecy that He would not open His mouth ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He was Oppressed and Afflicted")). His suffering from the "lying tongue" culminated in His crucifixion, where He, the Lamb of God, bore the ultimate injustice. His resurrection, however, serves as God's definitive vindication of His truth and righteousness, silencing every lying tongue and demonstrating God's ultimate justice against wickedness. Through Christ, believers are empowered to endure similar persecution, knowing that their ultimate vindication rests in Him, who suffered for them ([1 Peter 2:22-23](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22-23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). Just as the psalmist cried out for justice, Christ's life and atonement provide the perfect answer to the pain of unjust suffering and the triumph over the "father of lies" ([John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Devil, Father of Lies")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 52:4

Thou lovest all devouring words, O [thou] deceitful tongue.

Jeremiah 9:5

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Proverbs 6:17

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

2 Samuel 17:1

¶ Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

Psalms 120:2

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from a deceitful tongue.

Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

Psalms 31:18

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