Psalm 139:20

Psalm 139:20, in plain English

These enemies speak deceitfully about God and take His name in vain, using it dishonestly. They're hostile to God and everything He stands for.

Why it's here

The psalmist is clarifying who he's talking about—not people who simply disagree with him, but people who oppose God Himself, who misuse His name and act against His character.

Who's speaking

The psalmist describing the nature of God's enemies.

Where it sits in the story

This ending emphasizes that the psalmist's love for God (expressed in verses 1-18) comes with a corresponding rejection of those who rebel against God. Intimacy with God means distance from what opposes Him.

The scholarly reading

God's enemies arrogantly misuse His name and speak falsely concerning Him, taking His revelation for purposes of deception and corruption.

Language and setting

The verb דִּבְּרוּ (dibru), 'speak,' parallels the psalmist's earlier concern with words (verse 4), but now the concern is not innocent utterance but malevolent speech. The phrase בִשְׁקָר (be-shaqar), 'deceitfully' or 'falsely,' emphasizes intentional perversion—these are not errors but deliberate corruptions. The phrase נָשְׂאוּ שִׁמְךָ לַשָּׁוְא (nasau shimcha la-shav), 'take Your name in vain,' invokes the Third Commandment (Exodus 20:7), suggesting that the enemies violate covenant law by instrumentalizing God's name for false purposes. The term לַשָּׁוְא (la-shav), 'for emptiness' or 'for nothingness,' suggests that their use of God's name produces no genuine benefit but only void and desolation. The conclusion of the psalm thus ties its final movement to its opening: the God who knows all—thoughts, motivations, speech—cannot tolerate those who knowingly abuse His revealed character through falsehood.

Voice

The psalmist, now completing his petition against the wicked and articulating the theological ground for their punishment.

Significance

This verse concludes the psalm's arc by asserting that divine omniscience serves not merely meditation but judgment. It anticipates Jesus's teaching that we will give account for every careless word (Matthew 12:36) and establishes the principle that knowledge of truth creates moral responsibility. The psalm thus moves from cosmic wonder at omniscience to particular ethical concern: those who have the most reason to honor God's name—those who hear His word—yet use it for deception incur particular condemnation.

18If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.

19O God, that You would slay the wicked— away from me, you bloodthirsty men—

20who speak of You deceitfully; Your enemies take Your name in vain.

21Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD, and detest those who rise against You?

22I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them as my enemies.

Read all of Psalm 139 — Nowhere you can go that God is not already there. This psalm moves from awe to intimacy.