Psalms 5:9

Psalms 5:9 offers a stark and vivid description of the unrighteous, emphasizing the depth of their moral corruption and the destructive nature of their communication. King David, the psalmist, is expressing his lament and prayer for deliverance from those who oppose God and His people, laying bare their true character before the Lord.

Context

Psalm 5 is a prayer of David, likely composed during a time when he faced severe opposition and betrayal. He begins by crying out to God for help (Psalms 5:1), expressing his trust in the Lord’s righteousness and His hatred for wickedness. In this verse, David shifts from prayer to a detailed description of his enemies, highlighting their inherent deceitfulness and malicious intent. This portrayal serves to justify his plea for divine judgment, contrasting their depravity with God's perfect justice.

Key Themes

• Inward Corruption: The phrase "their inward part is very wickedness" reveals that the problem is not merely superficial but originates from the core of their being. Their actions and words flow from a heart utterly devoid of goodness, emphasizing the theme of human depravity that is often explored in scripture (e.g., Jeremiah 17:9).
• Deceitful Speech: "No faithfulness in their mouth" and "they flatter with their tongue" point to a calculated dishonesty. Their words are not truthful or reliable but are designed to manipulate and deceive. This contrasts sharply with the integrity and truthfulness expected of God's people.
• Destructive Communication: The powerful metaphor, "their throat is an open sepulchre," illustrates the lethal nature of their words. Like an open grave emitting foulness and decay, their speech spreads spiritual death, corruption, and ruin. Their flattery is not benign but a dangerous tool to ensnare and destroy.

Linguistic Insights

• Faithfulness (Hebrew: 'emunah): This word signifies truth, reliability, and stability. Its absence in their mouth means they are utterly untrustworthy, their words lacking any foundation of truth or integrity.
• Wickedness (Hebrew: havvoth): This term denotes destruction, ruin, mischief, or calamities. It emphasizes that their inner being is actively bent towards causing harm and desolation.
• Open Sepulchre: This chilling image vividly conveys that their speech is not just empty but actively destructive and defiling. It's a source of spiritual decay and death. This specific phrase is notably quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:13 to depict the universal sinfulness of humanity, highlighting the pervasive nature of corrupt speech.
• Flatter (Hebrew: chalak): Related to being smooth or slippery, this term implies speech that is deceptively smooth, oily, or glib, designed to mislead or gain an advantage rather than to convey truth.

Practical Application

Psalms 5:9 serves as a timeless warning and a call for discernment. In a world often filled with deceptive narratives and manipulative rhetoric, this verse encourages believers to:

1. Exercise Discernment: Be wary of smooth words and flattery, recognizing that outward charm can mask inward corruption. Test what you hear against God's truth.
2. Guard Your Own Heart and Tongue: Reflect on your own speech and motives. Are your words faithful and true, or do they harbor hidden agendas? This verse reminds us of the profound connection between the heart and the words that proceed from it.
3. Trust in God's Justice: Despite the prevalence of wickedness and deceit, God sees and knows the true nature of every heart. We can find comfort in the knowledge that He is a righteous judge who will ultimately bring justice to light.