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)
What's often missed is the jarring contrast the text paints: the enemies' mouths spew destruction and deceit, like an open grave, but their tongues are used to "flatter" or make things smooth. It reveals how their outward pleasantries are a mask for an inner abyss of ruin, making their deception even more insidious.
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)
In this psalm, David is crying out to God for protection against his enemies. He describes them as deceitful, destructive, and dangerous, with mouths full of lies and hearts bent on ruin. This imagery of their wickedness is presented to underscore David's urgent need for God's guidance and deliverance, highlighting the perilous nature of the foes he faces and the contrast between their corrupted nature and God's righteous path.
The words we speak can either build up or tear down. But what happens when spoken words are just the tip of a destructive iceberg?
David paints a stark picture of his enemies' mouths. They are not just untruthful; they are devoid of any faithfulness or sincerity. This isn't about occasional mistakes; it's a fundamental character flaw.
Words as Weapons
This isn't just about spoken lies; it's about the deep-seated deceit that characterizes their entire communication. Their words are tools for destruction, not connection.
Beyond the deceptive words, there lies a deep corruption. What does it mean for someone's 'inmost self' to be destruction?
The psalm goes deeper than just outward speech, revealing the rotten core: 'their inmost self is destruction.' This points to an inner reality of utter depravity and a bent towards ruin.
The Source of Deceit
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This inner reality fuels their deceitful words. They aren't just lying; they are conduits of death and destruction because that's what resides within them.
This verse echoes the psalmist's profound declaration about the deceptive nature of the human heart, stating that 'The heart is crooked above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?' This highlights the deep-seated corruption that leads to the untrustworthy speech described in Psalm 5:9.
Romans 3:13The Apostle Paul directly quotes and applies the imagery from Psalm 5:9 to describe the universal sinfulness of humanity, emphasizing that 'their throat is an open grave; they practice deceit with their tongues.' This broadens the application to all people, not just David's immediate enemies.
Matthew 15:18Jesus connects outward speech to inner corruption, stating, 'But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these defile a person.' This reinforces the idea that the destructive 'inmost self' and destructive words described in Psalm 5:9 originate from a defiled heart.
Proverbs 26:24-25This passage warns about those who mask their malice with smooth words: 'A man who hates, disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart. Though his words are gracious, do not believe him, for seven abominations are in his heart.' This directly illustrates the 'flattery with their tongue' used by deceitful individuals.
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…
What's often missed is the jarring contrast the text paints: the enemies' mouths spew destruction and deceit, like an open grave, but their tongues are used to "flatter" or make things smooth. It reveals how their outward pleasantries are a mask for an inner abyss of ruin, making their deception even more insidious.
In this psalm, David is crying out to God for protection against his enemies. He describes them as deceitful, destructive, and dangerous, with mouths full of lies and hearts bent on ruin. This imagery of their wickedness is presented to underscore David's urgent need for God's guidance and deliverance, highlighting the perilous nature of the foes he faces and the contrast between their corrupted nature and God's righteous path.
In this psalm, David is crying out to God for protection against his enemies. He describes them as deceitful, destructive, and dangerous, with mouths full of lies and hearts bent on ruin. This imagery of their wickedness is presented to underscore David's urgent need for God's guidance and deliverance, highlighting the perilous nature of the foes he faces and the contrast between their corrupted nature and God's righteous path.
"For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue." — What's often missed is the jarring contrast the text paints: the enemies' mouths spew destruction and deceit, like an open grave, but their tongues are used to "flatter" or make things smooth. It r…
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Last reviewed October 2026