Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. New Living Translation Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. English Standard Version The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. Berean Standard Bible The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. King James Bible The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. New King James Version The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. New American Standard Bible The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. NASB 1995 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. NASB 1977 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. Legacy Standard Bible The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to consider to do good. Amplified Bible The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. Christian Standard Bible The words from his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good. Holman Christian Standard Bible The words of his mouth are malicious and deceptive; he has stopped acting wisely and doing good. American Standard Version The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: He hath ceased to be wise and to do good. Contemporary English Version They tell deceitful lies, and they don't have the sense to live right. English Revised Version The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise and to do good. GOD'S WORD® Translation The words from his mouth are [nothing but] trouble and deception. He has stopped doing what is wise and good. Good News Translation Their speech is wicked and full of lies; they no longer do what is wise and good. International Standard Version The words from his mouth are vain and deceptive. He has abandoned behaving wisely and doing good. NET Bible The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right. New Heart English Bible The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good. Webster's Bible Translation The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath ceased to be wise, and to do good. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. World English Bible The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe words of his mouth [are] iniquity and deceit, "" He ceased to act prudently—to do good. Young's Literal Translation The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit, He ceased to act prudently -- to do good. Smith's Literal Translation The words of his mouth vanity and deceit: he ceased to be circumspect, to do good. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe words of his mouth are iniquity and guile : he would not understand that he might do well. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Empty and false are the words of his mouth; he has ceased to be wise and do good. New Revised Standard Version The words of their mouths are mischief and deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and do good. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; he is unwilling to do good. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The answer of his mouth is disease and deceit and he does not want to do good. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; He hath left off to be wise, to do good. Brenton Septuagint Translation The words of his mouth are transgression and deceit: he is not inclined to understand how to do good. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Transgression of the Wicked…2For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin. 3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. 4Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.… Cross References Romans 3:13 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” Jeremiah 9:3-5 “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. Isaiah 59:3-4 For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. / No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity. Proverbs 6:12-14 A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, / winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. / With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord. Matthew 12:34-35 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. James 3:6-8 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Proverbs 10:31-32 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse. Psalm 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue. Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. Isaiah 32:6 For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink. Micah 6:12 For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths. Matthew 15:18-19 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. Colossians 3:8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 1 Peter 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. Treasury of Scripture The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he has left off to be wise, and to do good. The words Psalm 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. Psalm 12:2,3 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak… Psalm 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. he hath Psalm 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel. 1 Samuel 11:6-13 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly… 1 Samuel 13:13,14 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever… Jump to Previous Act Ceased Deceit Deceitful Evil Good Iniquity Mischief Mouth Prudently Wicked Wickedness Wise Wisely WordsJump to Next Act Ceased Deceit Deceitful Evil Good Iniquity Mischief Mouth Prudently Wicked Wickedness Wise Wisely WordsPsalm 36 1. The grievous state of the wicked8. The excellence of God's mercy 10. David prays for favor to God's children The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; This phrase highlights the moral corruption evident in speech, a theme frequently addressed in Scripture. The Bible often emphasizes the power of words, as seen in Proverbs 18:21, which states that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." The wickedness and deceitfulness of speech reflect a heart that is not aligned with God's truth, as Jesus taught in Matthew 12:34, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The deceitful nature of the words suggests a deliberate intention to mislead, reminiscent of the serpent's deception in Genesis 3. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that contrasts the truth of God with the lies of the enemy. he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. Persons / Places / Events 1. David- Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 36, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often wrote about the contrast between the wicked and the righteous. 2. The Wicked - This term refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways, characterized by deceit and a lack of wisdom. 3. The Righteous - Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the righteous are often contrasted with the wicked in the Psalms, representing those who follow God's commandments. Teaching Points The Power of WordsOur words have the power to build up or destroy. As believers, we are called to speak truth and life, avoiding deceit and wickedness. The Importance of Wisdom True wisdom comes from God and leads to righteous living. Ceasing to be wise results in moral and spiritual decline. Guarding Our Hearts The condition of our hearts is reflected in our speech. We must guard our hearts against wickedness to ensure our words align with God's truth. Repentance and Renewal When we recognize deceit in our lives, we must repent and seek God's forgiveness and renewal, striving to live in wisdom and righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 36:3?2. How does Psalm 36:3 describe the deceitfulness of the wicked's words and actions? 3. What can we learn from Psalm 36:3 about avoiding deceitful speech? 4. How does Psalm 36:3 connect with James 3:6 on controlling our tongues? 5. In what ways can we guard against "ceasing to be wise" in our lives? 6. How can Psalm 36:3 guide us in maintaining integrity in our daily interactions? 7. How does Psalm 36:3 reflect the nature of human deceitfulness? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 36:3? 9. How does Psalm 36:3 challenge our understanding of truth and lies? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 36? 11. Psalm 73:3 says the wicked prosper, yet other passages (e.g., Psalm 1:3) promise prosperity for the righteous--how do we reconcile this contradiction? 12. In Psalm 125:3, why have the righteous frequently suffered under oppressive regimes if the 'rod of the wicked' is not supposed to remain over them? 13. In Job 36:6-7, where it states the righteous are exalted while the wicked are cut off, why do wicked individuals often thrive, and the righteous sometimes suffer? 14. If the Bible is divinely inspired, why does Paul misquote the Old Testament (Romans 3:10-18 vs. Psalms)? What Does Psalm 36:3 Mean The words of his mouthPsalm 36:3 begins, “The words of his mouth…”. David spotlights speech first because words reveal what rules the heart (Luke 6:45). • What comes out naturally overflows from inner desires—if the heart is bent away from God, conversation will follow (Proverbs 10:11; James 3:6). • The psalm therefore invites us to listen thoughtfully; a person’s talk is an honest gauge of spiritual health (Matthew 12:36-37). are wicked and deceitful David continues, “…are wicked and deceitful”. Two problems surface: evil intent and deliberate falsehood. • Wicked: Speech that actively opposes God’s moral standards (Isaiah 5:20; Ephesians 4:29). • Deceitful: Words crafted to mislead for selfish gain (Proverbs 6:16-17; Romans 3:13-14). • Together they expose rebellion against the God of truth (Numbers 23:19; John 14:6). Lies aren’t slips; they’re chosen weapons that darken the speaker and wound the hearer. he has ceased to be wise The psalm shifts from mouth to mind: “he has ceased to be wise”. Wisdom in Scripture begins with the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 9:10). Abandoning God means forfeiting true insight. • Romans 1:21-22 pictures the same slide: rejecting God darkens thinking and trades wisdom for folly. • Wisdom is not merely intellect; it is skill in godly living (James 3:17). When reverence is gone, sound judgment soon follows. and well-doing Finally, David notes, “…and well-doing”. The downward spiral moves from words to thoughts to actions. • Once wisdom is discarded, righteous deeds evaporate (Psalm 14:3). • James 4:17 stresses that refusing to do the good we know is sin. Titus 1:16 warns of people who “claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him.” • Psalm 36:3 paints the tragic result: a life once capable of good now practices none, harming neighbor and dishonoring Creator. summary Psalm 36:3 sketches the moral freefall of the ungodly—corrupt speech, deliberate deception, abandoned wisdom, and absence of good works. Words betray the heart, lies showcase rebellion, discarded reverence destroys discernment, and neglected righteousness ends in complete moral ruin. The verse warns us to guard our hearts, cherish truth, pursue godly wisdom, and devote ourselves to doing good, lest the same descent mark our lives. (3, 4) From the secret promptings of sin, the description of the ungodly passes on to its issues in words and deeds. It is an awful picture of wickedness of a man abandoning himself without check or remorse to the inspiration of his own evil heart. He goes from bad to worse. In a great English tragedy, the murderer, though he has determined to wade farther in blood, yet prays against the horror of nightly temptations:"Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose. But this man "deviseth mischief upon his bed." When even the worst criminals shudder at their own deeds, whispering to their "deaf pillows" the agonies that creep over them with darkness and silence, this ungodly man of the Hebrew poet's picture is occupied rather in scheming fresh villainies; even then he abhorreth not evil, or better, rejecteth not, catches rather at every fresh suggestion, and shapes it to his end. Verse 3. - The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit (comp. Psalm 12:2; Psalm 28:3). He hath left off to be wise, and to do good. There was a time when he occasionally acted wisely, and did what was right. But that time is gone by. Now he is consistently wicked.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The wordsדִּבְרֵי־ (diḇ·rê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause of his mouth פִ֭יו (p̄îw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to are wicked אָ֣וֶן (’ā·wen) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol and deceitful; וּמִרְמָ֑ה (ū·mir·māh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4820: Deceit, treachery he has ceased חָדַ֖ל (ḥā·ḏal) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle to be wise לְהַשְׂכִּ֣יל (lə·haś·kîl) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent [and] well-doing. לְהֵיטִֽיב׃ (lə·hê·ṭîḇ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing Links Psalm 36:3 NIVPsalm 36:3 NLT Psalm 36:3 ESV Psalm 36:3 NASB Psalm 36:3 KJV Psalm 36:3 BibleApps.com Psalm 36:3 Biblia Paralela Psalm 36:3 Chinese Bible Psalm 36:3 French Bible Psalm 36:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
    |