Psalms 50:19-20
“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse reveals that "giving your mouth to evil" and your tongue "framing deceit" isn't just about speaking badly, but about actively unleashing and skillfully constructing falsehoods. It suggests a deliberate, almost artistic weaving of lies, showing a conscious decision to weaponize our words.
This psalm is God’s direct address to those who outwardly perform religious duties but inwardly harbor wickedness and hypocrisy. He’s calling out the disconnect between their actions and their hearts, particularly those who claim to follow His laws while living disobedient lives. The verses immediately preceding this one describe their hypocrisy in action, leading directly into God's condemnation of their deceitful speech.
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.
lashan · Hebrew Verb
False, malicious, or damaging statements made about others. It is viewed as a sin that destroys relationships and neighborly love, reflecting a heart lacking in charity.
This passage echoes the sentiment of Psalm 50:19, describing how people have 'trained their tongues like a bow to shoot lies,' highlighting the deliberate and skillful nature of deceitful speech.
Proverbs 10:19This proverb directly links an abundance of words with a lack of righteousness, stating 'When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise,' reinforcing the idea that unchecked speech often leads to wrongdoing.
Matthew 12:36-37Jesus directly addresses the power of our words, warning that 'men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,' a powerful New Testament parallel to the judgment God pronounces in Psalm 50.
James 1:26The book of James offers a practical, yet profound, warning about controlling our speech, saying 'If anyone considers himself religious and does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he demeans himself and his religion is worthless,' showing that the mastery of one's speech is a crucial indicator of true faith.
Romans 3:13Paul quotes from the Old Testament to describe the universal corruption of speech, stating their 'throats are open graves; they use their tongues to deceive,' presenting a stark picture of how the deceitful tongue, as mentioned in Psalm 50, is a pervasive human failing.
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 reveals that "giving your mouth to evil" and your tongue "framing deceit" isn't just about speaking badly, but about actively unleashing and skillfully constructing falsehoods. It suggests a deliberate, almost artistic weaving of lies, showing a conscious decision to weaponize our words.
This psalm is God’s direct address to those who outwardly perform religious duties but inwardly harbor wickedness and hypocrisy. He’s calling out the disconnect between their actions and their hearts, particularly those who claim to follow His laws while living disobedient lives. The verses immediately preceding this one describe their hypocrisy in action, leading directly into God's condemnation of their deceitful speech.
This psalm is God’s direct address to those who outwardly perform religious duties but inwardly harbor wickedness and hypocrisy. He’s calling out the disconnect between their actions and their hearts, particularly those who claim to follow His laws while living disobedient lives. The verses immediately preceding this one describe their hypocrisy in action, leading directly into God's condemnation of their deceitful speech.
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"“You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son." — The verse reveals that "giving your mouth to evil" and your tongue "framing deceit" isn't just about speaking badly, but about actively unleashing and skillfully constructing falsehoods. It suggests…
