Psalms 34:13

KJV

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

KJV (with Strong's)

Keep {H5341} thy tongue {H3956} from evil {H7451}, and thy lips {H8193} from speaking {H1696} guile {H4820}.

Complete Jewish Bible

[If you do,] keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceiving talk;

Berean Standard Bible

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

American Standard Version

Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 34:13 provides a foundational directive for righteous living, emphasizing the critical importance of controlling one's speech. It instructs the believer to actively restrain the tongue from uttering evil and the lips from speaking deceit, presenting this discipline as an essential prerequisite for those who desire a long and good life, as introduced in the preceding verse. This verse underscores the profound spiritual and practical impact of words, advocating for integrity and truthfulness as core components of a life that honors God and experiences His blessing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 34:13 is an integral part of a wisdom instruction section within Psalm 34, specifically following the rhetorical question posed in [Psalms 34:12](/psalms/34-12 "Psalms 34:12 - The Question of Desiring Life"): "What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?" Verses 13 and 14 serve as the direct answer to this profound inquiry, outlining the practical steps for attaining such a blessed life. The psalm itself begins with David's personal testimony of God's deliverance and his subsequent call to others to "magnify the Lord with me" ([Psalms 34:3](/psalms/34-3 "Psalms 34:3 - Magnifying the Lord")). The instruction on speech, therefore, is not merely a moral platitude but a concrete application of the wisdom gained from experiencing God's faithfulness and seeking His favor. It sets the stage for the broader call to "depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it" found in [Psalms 34:14](/psalms/34-14 "Psalms 34:14 - Seeking Peace and Doing Good").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, and particularly in Israel, the spoken word held immense power. Words were not merely sounds but were believed to carry a tangible force, capable of blessing or cursing, creating or destroying. Oaths, blessings, and curses were considered binding and effective. This cultural understanding elevates the significance of the psalmist's command. Furthermore, the superscription of Psalm 34 attributes it to David "when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed." This refers to the incident in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David's Deception in Gath") where David feigned madness to escape King Achish (called Abimelech in the psalm, possibly a generic title for a Philistine king). While David's actions were a survival tactic, the psalm's subsequent emphasis on truthfulness and avoiding "guile" might reflect a deeper reflection on the nature of speech, even in difficult circumstances, and a commitment to a life of integrity before God. The community's well-being was also deeply intertwined with truthful communication, as deceit and slander could unravel social fabric.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalms and biblical wisdom literature. Primarily, it underscores the **discipline of speech** as a cornerstone of righteousness and wisdom. It highlights that true godliness is not just about internal piety but also manifests outwardly, especially in how one communicates. This connects to the broader theme of **integrity and truthfulness**, presenting speech as a direct reflection of the heart's condition. The command to avoid "evil" and "guile" in speech is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of **a blessed and flourishing life** ("desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good"), a central theme in wisdom literature like Proverbs. It suggests that right speech is a practical pathway to experiencing God's favor and peace, aligning with the call in [Proverbs 10:19](/proverbs/10-19 "Proverbs 10:19 - Wisdom in Words") that "in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." The verse also subtly touches upon the theme of **community well-being**, as truthful and non-malicious speech fosters trust and harmony within the covenant community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Keep (נָצַר, _natsar'_):** This Hebrew verb means "to guard," "to watch," "to preserve," or "to keep." It implies an active, diligent, and intentional effort to protect something valuable or to prevent something undesirable. Here, it signifies a conscious and continuous act of restraint, not merely a passive avoidance. It's about setting a guard over one's mouth, like a sentinel guarding a city gate, to prevent harmful words from escaping.
* **Evil (רָע, _ra'_):** This word is broad in its meaning, encompassing moral evil, wickedness, harm, injury, or calamity. In the context of speech, it refers to words that are morally wrong, destructive, malicious, slanderous, gossiping, or otherwise detrimental to others or to one's relationship with God. It's not just about what is factually incorrect but what is morally corrupt or harmful.
* **Guile (מִרְמָה, _mirmah'_):** This noun denotes "deceit," "treachery," "fraud," "trickery," or "cunning." It implies intentional dishonesty, a deliberate attempt to mislead, manipulate, or betray through words. Speaking guile is not simply making a mistake, but rather employing words with a hidden, often malicious, agenda to deceive for personal gain or to harm another.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Keep thy tongue from evil":** This clause issues a direct, imperative command to exercise strict control over one's tongue. The "tongue" here is a metonymy for all forms of verbal communication. The instruction is to prevent it from uttering anything that is morally corrupt, harmful, destructive, or malicious. This includes gossip, slander, curses, harsh words, and any speech that originates from an evil intent or produces evil results. It calls for a proactive guarding of one's speech to ensure it aligns with God's character and promotes good.
* **"and thy lips from speaking guile":** This second clause reinforces and specifies the first, using synonymous parallelism. "Lips" also serve as a metonymy for speech, emphasizing the physical instrument of verbal expression. "Speaking guile" refers to the deliberate use of words to deceive, mislead, trick, or betray. This goes beyond mere falsehood to include cunning, manipulative, or treacherous communication. It highlights the importance of sincerity, transparency, and truthfulness in all verbal interactions, ensuring that one's words are not used as tools of manipulation or dishonesty.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 34:13 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("and thy lips from speaking guile") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first half ("Keep thy tongue from evil"). "Tongue" and "lips" both refer to the instrument of speech, and "evil" and "guile" both describe undesirable forms of communication, with "guile" adding a specific nuance of intentional deceit. This repetition emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command regarding speech. **Metonymy** is also present, as "tongue" and "lips" are used to represent the broader concept of verbal communication itself. The **Imperative Mood** of "Keep" (implied for both clauses) functions as a direct command, underscoring the urgency and necessity of this discipline. The verse's concise, direct language, characteristic of wisdom literature, makes its instruction memorable and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is profoundly theological, linking the discipline of speech directly to the pursuit of a life that is pleasing to God and experiences His blessing. It teaches that righteous living is holistic, encompassing not only actions but also words, which are seen as emanating from the heart. The command to avoid "evil" and "guile" in speech reflects God's own character of truth and righteousness, inviting believers to imitate Him in their communication. It highlights the moral weight of words, recognizing their power to build up or tear down, to foster trust or sow discord. Theologically, it underscores that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, which then manifests in practical obedience, including the careful stewardship of one's tongue. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, asserting that the way we speak is a fundamental indicator of our spiritual health and our commitment to walking in God's ways.

* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of Life and Death in the Tongue")
* [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Accountability for Every Idle Word")
* [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with communication, from casual conversations to digital interactions, Psalms 34:13 stands as an enduring beacon of wisdom. It challenges us to pause and consider the immense power of our words, reminding us that they are not neutral but carry the potential for great good or profound harm. Applying this verse means cultivating a conscious awareness of what we utter and type, asking ourselves if our communication is truly free from malice, gossip, slander, or any form of deceit. It calls us to a radical commitment to truthfulness, not just in avoiding outright lies, but in speaking with integrity, transparency, and without hidden agendas. This discipline of the tongue is a lifelong journey, requiring humility, self-control, and a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts so that our words may consistently reflect the character of Christ, building up, encouraging, and bringing glory to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How often do I intentionally filter my words before speaking or typing, considering their potential for evil or guile?**
* **In what specific areas of my life (e.g., social media, workplace, family conversations) am I most tempted to use words that are not entirely truthful or are potentially harmful?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a habit of speaking words that are consistently edifying, truthful, and gracious?**

### FAQ

**What does "keep thy tongue from evil" specifically mean in practical terms today?**

Answer: "Keeping your tongue from evil" means actively refraining from any form of speech that is destructive, malicious, or morally wrong. In today's context, this includes avoiding gossip, slander, hateful speech, cyberbullying, spreading misinformation, and using profanity or harsh words that tear others down. It's a call to mindful communication, where every word is weighed for its potential impact and aligned with principles of kindness, respect, and truth. It encourages us to use our words to build up, encourage, and speak life, rather than to harm or diminish.

**Why is "speaking guile" singled out alongside "evil"? Are they not the same?**

Answer: While related, "evil" and "guile" are distinct and complementary. "Evil" (רָע, _ra'_) is a broader term encompassing any speech that is morally wrong or harmful, including malicious gossip, curses, or angry outbursts. "Guile" (מִרְמָה, _mirmah'_) specifically refers to intentional deceit, trickery, or cunning. It's about using words to manipulate, mislead, or betray, often with a hidden agenda. So, while all guile is evil, not all evil speech is necessarily guile. The psalmist singles out guile to emphasize the importance of sincerity and transparency, highlighting that even seemingly innocuous words can be destructive if they are used deceptively. This distinction underscores the comprehensive nature of the command for integrity in all verbal communication.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 34:13 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the command to keep His tongue from evil and His lips from speaking guile. Unlike fallen humanity, whose tongues are often described as untamable and full of deadly poison ([James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue")), Jesus' words were always pure, truthful, and life-giving. He spoke with unparalleled authority and grace, never uttering a deceitful word, even in the face of intense provocation and injustice ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Example")). His teaching consistently emphasized the profound connection between the heart and speech, declaring that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" ([Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Words Reveal the Heart")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only cleanses us from the sin of our past words but also empowers us by His Spirit to live a new life, enabling us to bridle our tongues and use our speech for His glory. As believers, we are called to imitate Christ, allowing His truth to transform our hearts so that our lips may speak grace, truth, and words that build up the body of Christ and bear witness to the Gospel ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech")).

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

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:10

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Psalms 141:3

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Proverbs 21:23

¶ Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

1 Peter 2:22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

James 1:26

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.

Colossians 3:9

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;