Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow [him].
Let not an evil speaker {H376}{H3956} be established {H3559} in the earth {H776}: evil {H7451} shall hunt {H6679} the violent {H2555} man {H376} to overthrow {H4073} him.
Let slanderers find no place in the land; let the violent and evil be hunted relentlessly.
May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
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Psalms 34:21
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. -
Proverbs 18:21
¶ Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. -
Proverbs 13:21
¶ Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. -
Proverbs 17:20
¶ He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. -
Isaiah 3:11
Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. -
Proverbs 12:13
¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. -
Psalms 7:14
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
Commentary on Psalms 140:11 KJV
Psalm 140:11 is a powerful plea and declaration found within one of David's prayers for deliverance from his enemies. It expresses a fervent desire for divine justice against those who use their words and actions for harm, and a confident assertion that such wickedness will ultimately lead to self-destruction.
Context
Psalm 140 is a lament psalm where David cries out to God for protection from violent and deceitful adversaries. Throughout the psalm, David describes his enemies as those who devise mischief, sharpen their tongues like serpents, and plot to trip him up. Verse 11 is part of a series of imprecations (prayers for judgment) against these oppressors, reflecting the psalmist's deep trust in God's righteousness and his desire for God's justice to be manifest on earth. It's a prayer for the wicked not to prosper or gain lasting influence.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew terms used in this verse offer deeper insight:
Practical Application
Psalms 140:11 offers timeless lessons for believers: