Psalms 31:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the lying {H8267} lips {H8193} be put to silence {H481}; which speak {H1696} grievous {H6277} things proudly {H1346} and contemptuously {H937} against the righteous {H6662}.

Complete Jewish Bible

May lying lips be struck dumb, that speak insolently against the righteous with such pride and contempt.

Berean Standard Bible

May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.

American Standard Version

Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak against the righteous insolently, With pride and contempt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 31:18 is a fervent prayer from David, expressing a profound desire for divine intervention against those who maliciously speak against the righteous. It encapsulates a plea for God's swift justice and vindication in the face of slander, false accusation, and arrogant contempt, reflecting the psalmist's trust that God will ultimately silence the voices of deceit and uphold the integrity of His faithful servants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 31 is a poignant lament deeply interwoven with expressions of profound trust and confidence in God. The psalm opens with David's desperate plea for deliverance and refuge in God, establishing Him as his rock and fortress, as seen in [Psalms 31:1-5](/psalms/31-1-5 "Psalms 31:1-5 - David's Prayer for Deliverance and Trust"). Following this initial declaration of unwavering trust, the psalmist transitions into a detailed description of his deep distress, physical suffering, and the pervasive persecution he endures from his enemies, vividly portrayed in [Psalms 31:9-13](/psalms/31-9-13 "Psalms 31:9-13 - David's Anguish and Enemies' Malice"). Verse 18 falls within a section where David specifically appeals to God to judge his adversaries, who not only plot against him but also actively spread malicious lies and rumors. This verse serves as a climactic petition for divine judgment on the "lying lips" that speak "grievous things proudly and contemptuously," setting the stage for a renewed expression of trust and eventual praise for God's goodness and faithfulness to those who love Him, culminating in [Psalms 31:19-24](/psalms/31-19-24 "Psalms 31:19-24 - God's Goodness and Call to Love Him").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical backdrop for Psalm 31 is not explicitly stated, it is commonly attributed to David, suggesting a period of intense persecution, possibly during his flight from Saul, as recounted in [1 Samuel 23:25-26](/1_samuel/23-25-26 "1 Samuel 23:25-26 - Saul Pursues David in the Wilderness"), or later during Absalom's rebellion, detailed in [2 Samuel 15:1-12](/2_samuel/15-1-12 "2 Samuel 15:1-12 - Absalom's Conspiracy"). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a person's reputation and honor were paramount, and malicious speech or slander ("lying lips") could be devastating, leading to social ostracization, legal condemnation, or even death. Words were believed to possess inherent power, capable of blessing or cursing, building up or tearing down. Therefore, a prayer for "lying lips to be put to silence" was not merely a wish for quiet but a profound appeal for the cessation of harmful activity and the divine reversal of injustice. The "proud and contemptuous" nature of the speech highlights the arrogance of those who defied both human and divine order, often from positions of power or influence, believing themselves immune to consequence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **The Destructive Power of Malicious Speech**. The phrase "lying lips" vividly portrays the deceitful and harmful nature of slander. These are not just casual falsehoods but words intended to inflict pain, damage reputation, and undermine the righteous. The "grievous things" spoken are weighty, causing deep distress and injustice, underscoring the biblical emphasis on the power of the tongue, which can be "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" as described in [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue"). Secondly, the verse exposes **Pride and Contempt as Motivations for Evil**. It highlights the attitudes driving the slanderers: they speak "proudly and contemptuously." This reveals an arrogant heart that looks down upon others, especially the righteous, and feels entitled to speak evil without consequence. Such pride often precedes a fall, as warned in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction"), and contempt for the righteous is a direct affront to God's character, as those who are righteous are His chosen ones. Finally, it underscores the theme of **Divine Vindication for the Righteous**. David's prayer, "Let the lying lips be put to silence," is an appeal to God, the ultimate judge. It expresses a confident expectation that God will intervene to stop the wicked and clear the name of those who are upright in His sight. It reflects a deep belief that God will not allow His faithful servants to be perpetually oppressed by falsehood but will ultimately bring justice and silence the accuser, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness, as promised in [Psalm 37:6](/psalms/37-6 "Psalm 37:6 - God Will Vindicate the Righteous").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Silence (Hebrew, _ʼâlam'_):** From H481 (`ʼâlam`), a primitive root meaning "to tie fast; hence (of the mouth) to be tongue-tied; bind, be dumb, put to silence." In the context of Psalms 31:18, this word signifies more than mere quietness; it is a forceful cessation of activity, a divine intervention to bind or render mute the malicious tongues. It implies a definitive end to the slanderers' power and influence, bringing their destructive work to a halt through God's judgment.
* **Grievous (Hebrew, _ʻâthâq'_):** From H6277 (`ʻâthâq`), meaning "from עָתַק in the sense of license; impudent; arrogancy, grievous (hard) things, stiff." When applied to the words spoken by the "lying lips," this term emphasizes their impudent, arrogant, and harmful nature. These are not trivial falsehoods but weighty, oppressive accusations designed to inflict severe damage, pain, and injustice upon the righteous. The word highlights the brazenness and moral depravity behind the slander.
* **Contemptuously (Hebrew, _bûwz'_):** From H937 (`bûwz`), meaning "from בּוּז; disrespect; contempt(-uously), despised, shamed." This word vividly describes the scornful, disdainful, and disrespectful manner in which the malicious words are uttered. It reveals a heart filled with arrogance and a lack of regard for the truth or the dignity of the person being slandered, indicating that the slanderers look down upon the righteous with scorn and feel entitled to speak evil without consequence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the lying lips be put to silence;":** This is a direct petition to God, invoking divine judgment. "Lying lips" is a metonymy for those who speak falsehoods, slander, and deceit. The prayer for them to be "put to silence" (from H481, _ʼâlam_) signifies a desire for their destructive activity to cease entirely, implying a divine intervention that halts their power and influence, bringing an end to their malicious work. It is a plea for justice and vindication, not merely for quiet.
* **"which speak grievous things":** This clause describes the nature of the words spoken by these "lying lips." The "grievous things" (from H6277, _ʻâthâq_) are harsh, severe, and cruel accusations or slanders. They are not minor offenses but words that inflict significant emotional, reputational, and potentially physical harm upon the target. The weight and destructive impact of these words are strongly emphasized.
* **"proudly and contemptuously":** This phrase reveals the underlying motivations and attitudes of the slanderers. "Proudly" (from H1346, _gaʼăvâh_) indicates an arrogant self-exaltation, a belief in their own superiority that allows them to disregard truth and justice. "Contemptuously" (from H937, _bûwz_) signifies a disdainful, insolent, and presumptuous attitude towards the righteous. These words are not spoken out of ignorance but from a heart filled with arrogance and a scornful disregard for God's people and His standards.
* **"against the righteous.":** This identifies the specific target of the malicious speech. The "righteous" (from H6662, _tsaddîyq_) are those who live in accordance with God's will, who are innocent of the accusations leveled against them, and who are upright in His sight. The fact that the slander is directed "against the righteous" underscores the profound injustice and moral perversion of the accusers, as they target those who are blameless before God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 31:18 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Metonymy** is evident in "lying lips," where the "lips" stand for the entire person or their speech, emphasizing the instrument of their deceit. This is closely related to **personification**, as the "lips" are attributed the action of "speaking grievous things proudly and contemptuously." The verse is fundamentally an **imprecatory prayer**, a direct appeal to God for judgment against the wicked, reflecting a deep cry for divine justice and vindication. The clear moral opposition between the "lying lips" and the "righteous" highlights a strong **antithesis**, underscoring the spiritual conflict between the wicked slanderers and God's faithful people. The description of the words as "grievous" uses **hyperbole** to emphasize the severity and painful impact of the slander, while the adverbs "proudly and contemptuously" vividly characterize the arrogant and scornful nature of the accusers, painting a clear picture of their malicious intent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates a foundational theological truth: God is a God of justice who will ultimately vindicate the righteous and silence the voices of falsehood and malice. It speaks to the reality of suffering caused by human sin, particularly through the destructive power of the tongue, and assures believers that God sees and hears their cries for justice. The prayer for "lying lips to be put to silence" is not an act of personal vengeance but an appeal to divine sovereignty, recognizing that true justice belongs to God alone. It underscores the biblical principle that God hates pride and arrogance, especially when directed against His people, and that He will not allow His righteous ones to be perpetually oppressed by deceit. This expectation of divine intervention fosters trust and patience in believers, knowing that even when human systems fail, God's ultimate judgment is sure and righteous.

* [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16-19 "Proverbs 6:16-19 - Things the Lord Hates")
* [Psalm 12:3-4](/psalms/12-3-4 "Psalm 12:3-4 - The Lord Will Cut Off Lying Lips")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Leave Vengeance to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 31:18 offers profound comfort and practical guidance for believers navigating the painful reality of false accusations, slander, or malicious gossip in their own lives. In a world saturated with misinformation and character assassination, this verse reminds us that we are not alone in our suffering and that God is acutely aware of every word spoken against us. It encourages us to resist the natural impulse to retaliate or despair, instead directing our pain and our plea for justice to the Lord, who sees all and judges righteously. Trusting God to "put to silence" those who speak falsely frees us from the burden of self-vindication, allowing us to rest in His perfect timing and sovereign justice. Moreover, this verse implicitly serves as a powerful reminder for us to guard our own tongues, to speak truth in love, and to avoid the very pride and contempt that characterize the "lying lips" against which David prayed. Our words have immense power, and we are called to use them to build up, not to tear down, reflecting the character of our just and truthful God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when you are slandered or falsely accused, and how might this verse encourage a different approach?**
* **What does this psalm teach us about the spiritual battle against malicious speech, and what is our role in it?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a heart that avoids pride and contempt in our own speech, even when we disagree with others?**
* **How does trusting God for ultimate vindication free us from the burden of seeking personal revenge or constantly defending ourselves?**

### FAQ
**What does "put to silence" imply in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "put to silence" (Hebrew: _ʼâlam_, H481) implies far more than just a cessation of noise. In this context, it signifies a decisive divine intervention that brings an end to the malicious activity and influence of the slanderers. It suggests their power to harm will be cut off, their schemes will fail, and their words will lose their effect. It's a prayer for judgment and the definitive cessation of their destructive work, leading to the vindication of the righteous.

**Why is "proudly and contemptuously" specifically mentioned as the manner of speaking?**

Answer: The inclusion of "proudly and contemptuously" highlights the underlying heart condition that fuels malicious speech against the righteous. Speaking "proudly" (from H1346, _gaʼăvâh_) indicates an arrogant self-exaltation, a belief in one's own superiority that allows for a disregard of truth and justice. Speaking "contemptuously" (from H937, _bûwz_) reveals a disdainful, insolent, and scornful attitude towards the righteous, often stemming from a rejection of God's authority or His people. These motivations underscore the deep moral depravity of the accusers, making their actions not just a personal slight but an affront to God Himself, who champions the cause of the righteous, as seen in [Psalm 37:32-33](/psalms/37-32-33 "Psalm 37:32-33 - The Wicked Watch the Righteous").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 31:18 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He was the perfectly righteous One against whom "lying lips" spoke "grievous things proudly and contemptuously" throughout His earthly ministry. From the false accusations leveled against Him by the religious leaders, as recorded in [Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59-60 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus"), to the mocking and reviling He endured on the cross, detailed in [Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Jesus Mocked on the Cross"), Jesus experienced the full force of malicious, prideful, and contemptuous speech. Yet, in His suffering, He did not retaliate, but "when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly," as affirmed in [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering"). His profound silence before His accusers, as powerfully prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Silent Before His Accusers"), was not weakness but a powerful act of submission to the Father's will and a demonstration of perfect righteousness. Ultimately, through His resurrection and ascension, God indeed "put to silence" the lying lips of His accusers, vindicating His Son and establishing Him as the righteous Judge of all. Furthermore, Christ's triumph over sin and death includes the definitive defeat of Satan, the ultimate "accuser of our brothers" mentioned in [Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - The Accuser Thrown Down"), ensuring that all falsehood and malice will one day be definitively silenced before the throne of the One who is "Faithful and True," as revealed in [Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - Christ, Faithful and True").

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 94:4

[How long] shall they utter [and] speak hard things? [and] all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

Jude 1:15

¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

1 Samuel 2:3

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Revelation 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 22:15

For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

John 8:44

Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Matthew 12:24

But when the Pharisees heard [it], they said, This [fellow] doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.