“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights not just speaking evil, but the deliberate, skillful construction of deceit. The Hebrew word for "frameth" suggests an intricate weaving or binding together, implying that these lies aren't accidental slips but carefully crafted tools designed to ensnare others. This reveals a deeper spiritual deception at play, where words are actively employed to create a false reality and harm God's people.
“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a divine pronouncement against those who outwardly observe religious rituals but inwardly harbor wicked hearts. The Lord rebukes them for professing His covenant while living ungodly lives, highlighting their hypocrisy. Immediately following verses that accuse them of theft, adultery, and deceit, this verse describes the unbridled and deceitful speech that characterizes their unrighteousness.
Have you ever felt like your words just tumble out, often in ways you regret? This verse reveals a deliberate choice behind destructive speech.
The Hebrew word translated as 'givest' here can also mean 'to let loose' or 'to send forth.' It paints a picture of someone who intentionally removes restraints, giving their mouth freedom to spew out negativity. This isn't an accidental slip of the tongue; it's an active decision to engage in harmful speech. This 'evil' can take many forms: spreading lies, slandering others, speaking doctrines that lead people astray, or simply a constant stream of negativity.
Think of it like an animal being let out of its cage – it's free to roam and cause damage. When we 'let loose' our mouths for evil, we are unleashing destructive forces into the world. The commentary highlights how this is a conscious choice, a refusal to be governed by God's law or conscience.
Words can be sharp weapons, but they can also be carefully crafted tools. What does it mean for a tongue to 'frame' deceit?
The word 'frameth' in this verse is fascinating. It can mean to 'bind together,' 'contrive,' or even 'weave.' Imagine a spider meticulously spinning its web, thread by thread, creating a trap. That's what the deceitful tongue does. It doesn't just utter a single lie; it constructs elaborate falsehoods, carefully piecing together words and half-truths to ensnare others.
This implies intention and skill in deception. It's about crafting a narrative, building a case, or presenting things in a way that misleads. The commentaries suggest this is done artfully, using words to 'beguile,' 'circumvent,' and 'cozen' (to deceive or cheat). It's not just about saying wrong things, but about designing them to manipulate and trick.
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Understand the original words
mirmah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to speech that is intentionally false, misleading, or designed to trick others. It is strongly condemned in Scripture as an attribute contrary to the nature of God, who is Truth.
This passage directly parallels the idea of a tongue practicing deceit, highlighting how unrighteousness and falsehood are deeply ingrained in people's speech.
Matthew 12:36-37Jesus warns that every careless word spoken will be accounted for on judgment day, echoing the Psalmist's condemnation of unrestrained, deceitful speech as a serious offense.
James 3:5-6James describes the tongue as a 'world of iniquity' that can corrupt the entire person, powerfully illustrating how the mouth and tongue, when given to evil, become instruments of destruction and deceit.
Proverbs 6:16-19This passage lists 'a lying tongue' as one of the things the Lord hates, directly supporting the Psalmist's indictment of deceitful speech as an abhorrent act against God.
gillPsalms 50:19: "Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit."
Thou givest thy mouth to evil,.... To speak evil things against Christ, his doctrines, ordinances, ministers and people; and to deliver out evil doctrines, pernicious to the souls of men; and thy tongue frameth deceit; puts and joins together deceitful words in a very artful manner, by which simple and unstable minds are beguiled.
pulpitPsalms 50:19: "Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit."
Verse 19. - Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit; rather, thou hast loosed thy mouth to evil; i.e. given it liberty to utter all manner of wicked speech; and especially thou hast used mouth and tongue to cozen and deceive.
The verse highlights not just speaking evil, but the deliberate, skillful construction of deceit. The Hebrew word for "frameth" suggests an intricate weaving or binding together, implying that these lies aren't accidental slips but carefully crafted tools designed to ensnare others. This reveals a deeper spiritual deception at play, where words are actively employed to create a false reality and harm God's people.
This psalm is a divine pronouncement against those who outwardly observe religious rituals but inwardly harbor wicked hearts. The Lord rebukes them for professing His covenant while living ungodly lives, highlighting their hypocrisy. Immediately following verses that accuse them of theft, adultery, and deceit, this verse describes the unbridled and deceitful speech that characterizes their unrighteousness.
This psalm is a divine pronouncement against those who outwardly observe religious rituals but inwardly harbor wicked hearts. The Lord rebukes them for professing His covenant while living ungodly lives, highlighting their hypocrisy. Immediately following verses that accuse them of theft, adultery, and deceit, this verse describes the unbridled and deceitful speech that characterizes their unrighteousness.
"“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit." — The verse highlights not just speaking evil, but the deliberate, skillful construction of deceit. The Hebrew word for "frameth" suggests an intricate weaving or binding together, implying that these…
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Last reviewed October 2026