Psalms 5:9
For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to read this as simply listing bad qualities, but notice how the verse links their outward speech ("mouth," "throat," "tongue") directly to their inner state ("inmost self"). Their destructive intentions aren't just hidden; they spill out through every word and breath, making them like an open, foul grave that infects everything it touches.
David is seeking God's guidance and protection amidst enemies who are not only hostile but utterly deceitful. He describes their destructive nature, contrasting their smooth words with their inner corruption, which makes discerning their true intentions incredibly difficult. This intense personal struggle is the backdrop for his plea for divine wisdom and intervention.
David is painting a stark picture here. The people he's dealing with aren't just wrong; they're fundamentally corrupt. But how does their inner corruption spill out into their words and actions?
The Psalmist exposes a deep-seated problem: a disconnect between outward appearance and inner reality.
No Faithfulness in Their Mouth
When David says "there is no faithfulness in their mouth," he's not just saying they lie. He means their words are unreliable, empty vessels. There's no substance, no truth, nothing you can anchor yourself to.
Inmost Self is Destruction
And why? Because "their inmost self is destruction." This is the core of the issue. Their inner being isn't just flawed; it's a source of ruin, a place where goodness goes to die. It's an abyss of wickedness.
The Link Between Inner and Outer
This internal decay inevitably poisons their speech. Their words become tools for deception, not expressions of truth. It’s a chilling reminder that what’s inside will eventually come out.
The imagery here is intense: 'their throat is an open grave.' What does this disturbing metaphor reveal about the danger these enemies pose?
This verse uses powerful metaphors to describe the destructive nature of the ungodly's speech.
A Threatening Void
Comparing their 'throat' to an 'open grave' evokes images of death, decay, and a terrifying emptiness. A grave consumes and holds things fast; an open grave is a constant, gaping threat.
Words That Devour
This metaphor powerfully illustrates how their words are not just empty, but actively harmful. They are like a predator's maw, ready to swallow anyone who comes near. Their speech is a danger, capable of consuming reputations, relationships, and even faith.
The Apostle Paul directly quotes and expands upon these verses in Psalm 5, applying them to the universal sinfulness of all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, showing that the description of deceitful and destructive speech is not limited to David's enemies but is a characteristic of the unregenerate heart.
Jeremiah 17:9-10This passage echoes the sentiment of Psalm 5:9 by highlighting the profound deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart, stating that it is '''(desperately wicked)''' and cannot be understood, linking internal corruption to external actions and words.
Matthew 15:18-19Jesus teaches that what defiles a person comes from within, originating in the heart and proceeding out through evil thoughts, destructive speech, and deceitful words, which directly aligns with the description of the inner self as destruction and the mouth and throat as conduits for harm in Psalm 5.
Proverbs 26:24-26This proverb speaks to the danger of those who mask their malice with smooth talk, describing how their deceptive speech can appear friendly but ultimately leads to destruction, mirroring the 'flatter with their tongue' and the deadly nature of their words in Psalm 5.
calvinPsalms 5:8-10: "Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face."
- O Jehovah, lead me forth in thy righteousness, because of mine adversaries: make thy way straight before my face. 9. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward parts are very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they deal deceitfully 10. Cause them to err, O God; let them fall from their counsels; destroy them in the multitude [74]…
ellicottPsalms 5:9: "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue."
(9) In their mouth. —See margin. Wickedness.—Properly, an abyss, from root “to fall,” hence in parallelism with “open sepulcher” in next clause. This is an instance of introverted parallelism, “mouth” answering to “tongue.” (See Bible Educator, iii. 50.) An open sepulchre.—At once dangerous and noisome. Flatter.—Literally, make smoot…
It's easy to read this as simply listing bad qualities, but notice how the verse links their outward speech ("mouth," "throat," "tongue") directly to their inner state ("inmost self"). Their destructive intentions aren't just hidden; they spill out through every word and breath, making them like an open, foul grave that infects everything it touches.
David is seeking God's guidance and protection amidst enemies who are not only hostile but utterly deceitful. He describes their destructive nature, contrasting their smooth words with their inner corruption, which makes discerning their true intentions incredibly difficult. This intense personal struggle is the backdrop for his plea for divine wisdom and intervention.
David is seeking God's guidance and protection amidst enemies who are not only hostile but utterly deceitful. He describes their destructive nature, contrasting their smooth words with their inner corruption, which makes discerning their true intentions incredibly difficult. This intense personal struggle is the backdrop for his plea for divine wisdom and intervention.
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The 'Smooth Talk' of Destruction
Adding to this, the verse mentions they 'flatter with their tongue.' This isn't genuine kindness; it's a deceptive tactic. They make their destructive words sound appealing, like sweet-talking someone into stepping into a deadly trap. It’s the voice of destruction disguised as comfort.
"For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue." — It's easy to read this as simply listing bad qualities, but notice how the verse links their outward speech ("mouth," "throat," "tongue") directly to their inner state ("inmost self"). Their destruct…
