Psalms 31:18

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary on Psalms 31:18 KJV

Psalms 31:18 is a fervent prayer by David, expressing a deep desire for divine intervention against those who maliciously speak against the righteous. This verse encapsulates a common plea in the Psalms for God's justice and vindication in the face of slander and false accusation.

Context

Psalm 31 is a psalm of David, often understood as a lament and an expression of profound trust in God amidst great distress and persecution. Throughout the psalm, David pours out his heart, describing the suffering caused by his enemies, who plot against him and spread rumors. He feels surrounded by adversaries who speak evil of him and seek his downfall. This particular verse is part of a series of appeals to God for deliverance and judgment against these wicked individuals, following earlier expressions of his confidence in God as his refuge and strength (see Psalms 31:1-5).

Key Themes

  • 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 and damage the reputation of the innocent. The "grievous things" spoken are weighty, causing distress and injustice.
  • Pride and Contempt as Motivations: The verse 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 (Proverbs 16:18 warns against pride).
  • 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 belief that God will not allow His faithful servants to be perpetually oppressed by falsehood but will ultimately bring justice. Believers are encouraged to trust God's timing for justice (Romans 12:19 advises against personal vengeance).

Linguistic Insights

The term "grievous things" translates the Hebrew word qasheh (קָשֶׁה), which means "hard," "severe," or "cruel." This emphasizes the harsh and hurtful nature of the words spoken against the righteous. "Contemptuously" comes from the Hebrew ʿātāq (עָתָק), implying insolence, arrogance, and speaking defiantly or presumptuously. It underscores the haughty and disrespectful manner of the accusers.

Practical Application

Psalms 31:18 offers comfort and guidance for believers facing false accusations, slander, or malicious gossip in their own lives.

  • Commit Your Cause to God: Instead of retaliating or despairing, the verse encourages us to bring our pain and the injustice we face before God in prayer, trusting that He sees and will act righteously.
  • Patience and Trust in Divine Justice: While we may desire immediate vindication, this psalm teaches patience and reliance on God's perfect timing for justice. He is the one who will ultimately "put to silence" those who speak falsely.
  • Guard Your Own Speech: Implicitly, this verse also serves as a reminder for believers to be careful with their own words, avoiding slander, pride, and contempt, and instead speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:29 encourages wholesome speech).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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