What is the meaning of Psalm 31:18? May lying lips be silenced • David asks the Lord to put an end to tongues that twist truth. The plea is not for personal revenge but for God’s righteous intervention (Psalm 63:11; Psalm 120:2–3). • Scripture shows that falsehood always clashes with God’s nature of truth (Numbers 23:19; John 14:6). Because God is truthful, He will ultimately “shut the mouths of liars” (Titus 1:2; Revelation 21:8). • The request also protects the community of faith. When lies are stopped, the innocent are spared the harm described in Proverbs 10:18–19 and 1 Peter 3:10. The verse therefore affirms confidence in divine justice while encouraging believers to walk in integrity (Proverbs 12:22). lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous • The focus shifts from the act (lying) to the attitude (arrogance). Boastful speech sets itself up against God’s people, echoing Psalm 12:3–4 and Psalm 94:4. • Such arrogance is defiance of God, since “He mocks proud mockers” (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6). • The righteous are not perfect but are those who trust the Lord, like David himself in Psalm 31:1–3. God defends them, fulfilling promises such as Isaiah 54:17, that every tongue rising against them will be condemned. full of pride and contempt • Pride magnifies the earlier arrogance, revealing the heart behind the speech (Proverbs 16:18). Contempt despises both God and His people, replaying the scorn felt in Psalm 123:3–4. • Throughout Scripture contempt is portrayed as a hallmark of the last days (2 Timothy 3:2) and a characteristic that God resists (Luke 18:9–14). • The verse serves as a warning: unrepentant pride invites divine silencing (Job 40:4–5), whereas humility opens the way for grace (1 Peter 5:5). summary Psalm 31:18 is David’s call for God to halt deceitful, arrogant voices that target God’s people with proud contempt. It underscores God’s commitment to defend truth, humble the proud, and safeguard the righteous. Believers can trust that the Lord hears, judges rightly, and will ultimately silence every lying tongue that exalts itself against Him and His own. |
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