Psalms 59:12 Meaning Explained

Psalms 59:12

For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter,

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse doesn't just say they spoke sins; it emphasizes the words themselves are the sin, a direct outcome of their pride. It highlights how arrogant pronouncements and deceitful speech are not just minor errors but the very expression of their spiritual downfall.

What Psalms 59:12 means

David is crying out to God against enemies who are actively plotting against him, spreading lies and slander. He asks God to judge them, not by outright destruction which might be quickly forgotten, but by a lingering, visible punishment. This verse specifically calls down judgment for the enemies' destructive words and prideful boasting.

Words as Actions and Sins

Ever notice how easily words can slip out, sometimes with unintended consequences? This verse reminds us that our words aren't just sounds; they carry weight and can be deeply sinful.

The Psalmist David is painting a vivid picture here of how destructive words can be. He speaks of 'the sin of their mouth' and 'the words of their lips' as if they are tangible actions, leading directly to sin. It’s not just about what is said, but the intent and impact behind it.

Think about it:

Directly Linked to Sin: The verse doesn't separate the speech from the sin. It implies that the very act of speaking certain things is sinful.
Prideful Utterances: These aren't just casual remarks; they are connected to 'their pride.' This suggests words spoken with arrogance, self-importance, and a disdain for others or for God.
Deception and Curses: The specific sins mentioned are 'cursing and lying,' which actively harm, manipulate, and break trust.

Pride and Poisoned Words

Pride is often called the root of all sin. In this verse, it’s tied directly to the venomous words people speak. What’s the connection?

This passage strongly connects the inner attitude of pride with the outward expression of harmful speech. The enemies David is writing about aren't just saying bad things; they are saying them because of their pride.

Here's how it works:

Pride Fuels Malice: When people are full of pride, they often feel superior. This can lead them to look down on others, to judge harshly, and to feel justified in their cruelty.
Words as Weapons: Their pride makes them eager to 'curse and lie.' These aren't just mistakes; they are deliberate attacks aimed at tearing others down, often fueled by a sense of self-righteousness.

Understand the original words

Original language

sinחַטָּאת

chattath · Hebrew Noun

Any thought, word, or action that misses the mark of God's perfect standard or deviates from His law. It represents a state of alienation from God and a rebellious condition that corrupts human nature and relationships.

prideגָּאוֹן

ga'own · Hebrew Noun

A state of arrogance, self-exaltation, and independence from God. Biblically, it is viewed as the root of all evil, as it places the creature above the Creator and leads to spiritual blindness and eventual ruin.

Historical context

Written: Likely during the reign of King Saul, around 1000 BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to David, though the specific historical context often debated.
Location: Written from a place of hiding, likely in or near Jerusalem, during Saul's pursuit.
Genre: Poetry (specifically a psalm of lament and imprecation), characterized by direct address to God and vivid imagery.

Historical background

This psalm deeply reflects David's personal anguish and desperate pleas for deliverance during his persecution by King Saul. The 'cursing and lying' he speaks of are the venomous words and treacherous plots of his enemies, fueled by pride and deceit, all of which David brings before God.

c. 1010 BC— this verse
David Flees Saul's Persecution
King Saul, driven by jealousy, actively hunts David, viewing him as a threat to his throne. This period of intense persecution leads David to write many psalms of distress and deliverance.
c. 1010 BC
Saul Sends Guards to Capture David
Saul, seeking to eliminate David, sends soldiers to his location. Psalm 59 is specifically associated with David's narrow escape from Saul's men who surrounded his house.
c. 1000 BC
David Anointed King of Judah
After Saul's death, David is anointed king over the tribe of Judah. However, the united kingdom under Saul's line continues to be a point of contention.
c. 970 BC
David Becomes King of All Israel
David finally unites all the tribes of Israel under his rule, establishing Jerusalem as the capital. This marks a significant period of consolidation and expansion for the kingdom.

Key themes

01Sin of the mouth
02Pride and self-deception
03Consequences of lies
04Cursing and deception

Cross-references

Proverbs 12:13

This verse highlights how destructive words, born from pride and deceit, can lead to downfall, mirroring the psalmist's observation about the sin of the mouth and lips. The consequences described are direct outcomes of the speaker's own arrogant pronouncements.

Matthew 12:36-37

Jesus' teaching here directly connects to this psalm, emphasizing that people will be held accountable for every careless word they speak, especially those filled with pride, cursing, and lies. It underscores the divine judgment that awaits such sinful speech.

James 3:8-10

This passage from James vividly illustrates the dual nature of the tongue – its capacity for blessing and cursing – and warns that such inconsistency is unnatural and offensive to God. It echoes the psalm's focus on the destructive power of malicious words spoken in pride.

Jeremiah 17:1

This verse describes sin being inscribed on the heart with a pen of iron and a point of diamond, suggesting the deep-seated and permanent nature of iniquity, particularly that which is expressed through speech. It resonates with the idea that the 'sin of their mouths' and 'words of their lips' are not superficial but deeply ingrained.

Scholarly commentary

Psalms 59:12: "For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak."

Verse 12. - For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips; rather, the sin of their mouth is each word of their lips (Hupfeld, Cheyne); or, O the sin of their mouth! O the word of their lips! (Ewald, Kay, Canon Cook). Let them even be taken in their pride. Saul's special emissaries (1 Samuel 19:11) would, of course, be proud of their…
pulpit

Psalms 59:12: "For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak."

For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips,.... The words may be read as one proposition, "the words of their lips are the sin of their mouth" (y); they speak nothing but evil; whatever they say is sin; out of the abundance of their evil hearts their mouths speak: or "for the sin of their mouth" and lips; because of the calumnies…
gill

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What Psalms 59:12 means

Original language

sinחַטָּאת

chattath · Hebrew Noun

prideגָּאוֹן

ga'own · Hebrew Noun

Historical context

Written: Likely during the reign of King Saul, around 1000 BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to David, though the specific historical context often debated.
Location: Written from a place of hiding, likely in or near Jerusalem, during Saul's pursuit.
Genre: Poetry (specifically a psalm of lament and imprecation), characterized by direct address to God and vivid imagery.

Historical background

c. 1010 BC— this verse

David Flees Saul's Persecution

King Saul, driven by jealousy, actively hunts David, viewing him as a threat to his throne. This period of intense persecution leads David to write many psalms of distress and deliverance.

c. 1010 BC

Saul Sends Guards to Capture David

Saul, seeking to eliminate David, sends soldiers to his location. Psalm 59 is specifically associated with David's narrow escape from Saul's men who surrounded his house.

c. 1000 BC

David Anointed King of Judah

After Saul's death, David is anointed king over the tribe of Judah. However, the united kingdom under Saul's line continues to be a point of contention.

c. 970 BC

David Becomes King of All Israel

David finally unites all the tribes of Israel under his rule, establishing Jerusalem as the capital. This marks a significant period of consolidation and expansion for the kingdom.