Psalm 31:18

Psalm 31:18, in plain English

Specifically, he wants lying lips to be stopped—the people who speak arrogantly and contemptuously against righteous people need to be silenced by God's judgment.

Why it's here

The psalmist has been slandered and lied about. He's not asking for revenge against honest opposition; he's asking God to silence deliberate liars who mock the righteous. This is a prayer for truth to prevail and for God's justice to shut down corruption.

Who's speaking

David, calling for God to judge false accusers.

Where it sits in the story

This connects to God's hatred of lying and to Jesus's confrontations with the Pharisees who used false testimony. It reflects the biblical conviction that God cares about truth and justice.

The scholarly reading

The psalmist prays that lying lips be silenced—specifically those who arrogantly slander the righteous with pride and contempt.

Language and setting

The focus on lying lips (שְׂפַת־שָׁקֶר, sefat-shaker) and arrogant speech reflects the weaponization of language against the righteous. The characterization—'full of pride and contempt'—suggests malicious intent, not mere disagreement. Silencing such speech is not suppression of free speech but the hoped-for vindication of truth.

Voice

The supplicant continuing the petition for God's judgment against those who oppose the righteous.

Significance

This petition against lying speech echoes the Ten Commandments' prohibition against false witness and becomes central to Christian ethics regarding speech. The NT, particularly James 3, develops an extended meditation on the destructive power of the tongue and calls believers to tame it.

16Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.

17O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on You. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them lie silent in Sheol.

18May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.

19How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You!

20You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

Read all of Psalm 31 — The words Jesus spoke from the cross first appear here. David commits his spirit to the faithful God who has redeemed him.