How does Psalm 5:9 describe the nature of the wicked's speech? The Verse in Focus “For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is destruction; their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they flatter.” (Psalm 5:9) Key Phrases Unpacked • No truth in their mouth – Every word is empty of integrity. – Lies are not occasional; they are habitual. • Their heart is destruction – The core motive behind their words is ruin, not blessing. – Speech springs from a heart intent on tearing down (Matthew 12:34). • Their throat is an open grave – Words smell of death, corruption, and moral decay. – What should be a channel of life (Proverbs 18:21) has become a conduit of deadness. • With their tongue they flatter – Smooth talk masks evil intent (Proverbs 26:24–26). – Deception is sugar-coated to disarm the listener. What Scripture Says Elsewhere • Romans 3:13 quotes this verse to show universal human sinfulness. • Psalm 52:2-4 pictures a “tongue like a sharpened razor” working deceit. • Proverbs 10:32 contrasts the perverse mouth of the wicked with the righteous who “know what is fitting.” • Jeremiah 9:8 laments a people whose tongue “is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully.” Why This Matters for Us • Speech and character are inseparable; corrupt words reveal a corrupt heart (Luke 6:45). • Guarding truthfulness is a safeguard against the slide into deeper moral decay. • Discernment is vital; flattering words can conceal destructive motives. • By yielding our tongues to the Lord (Psalm 19:14; James 3:8-10), we testify that His transforming grace reaches even our everyday conversations. |
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