Their vicious words mirror the sting of a serpent, reminding us to submit our own speech to the Lord’s truth.
David, who ruled as the second king of Israel between around 1010 BC and 970 BC in the region of ancient Israel, observes in Psalm 140 how scheming enemies seek to harm the righteous through devious speech. He proclaims in the middle of this psalm, “They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.” (v.3) Here, the psalmist likens the verbal attacks of the wicked to the sudden and lethal bite of a venomous snake. Their tongue itself is a weapon, carefully honed to inflict damage capable of spreading swiftly among unsuspecting victims.
By comparing the malignity of his adversaries to serpents, David underscores how speech can be employed in a sly and deadly manner. Just as a viper’s venom can bring destruction upon its target, words can destroy reputations and sow discord when wielded with treachery. Psalm 140:3 warns us that evil words are more than mere insults; they are potent tools that can tear down relationships and reflect the wicked intentions of the speaker’s heart. Later in Scripture, Jesus uses similar imagery when He rebukes those who plot against Him, calling them a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 12:34). The sly nature of serpents is a visible picture of how sinister words lurk beneath a smiling face or outward display of piety.
Even today, believers can take to heart David’s dependence on the LORD for protection. Though malicious tongues may rage, God sees and tends to the cries of those who trust Him (see many examples in the Psalms). This verse also resonates with the New Testament emphasis on bridling the tongue, a notion explained in James 3:8, acknowledging the difficulty of restraining words but urging believers to let their speech reflect God’s righteousness rather than spread harm.
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Psalms 140:3 meaning
David, who ruled as the second king of Israel between around 1010 BC and 970 BC in the region of ancient Israel, observes in Psalm 140 how scheming enemies seek to harm the righteous through devious speech. He proclaims in the middle of this psalm, “They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.” (v.3) Here, the psalmist likens the verbal attacks of the wicked to the sudden and lethal bite of a venomous snake. Their tongue itself is a weapon, carefully honed to inflict damage capable of spreading swiftly among unsuspecting victims.
By comparing the malignity of his adversaries to serpents, David underscores how speech can be employed in a sly and deadly manner. Just as a viper’s venom can bring destruction upon its target, words can destroy reputations and sow discord when wielded with treachery. Psalm 140:3 warns us that evil words are more than mere insults; they are potent tools that can tear down relationships and reflect the wicked intentions of the speaker’s heart. Later in Scripture, Jesus uses similar imagery when He rebukes those who plot against Him, calling them a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 12:34). The sly nature of serpents is a visible picture of how sinister words lurk beneath a smiling face or outward display of piety.
Even today, believers can take to heart David’s dependence on the LORD for protection. Though malicious tongues may rage, God sees and tends to the cries of those who trust Him (see many examples in the Psalms). This verse also resonates with the New Testament emphasis on bridling the tongue, a notion explained in James 3:8, acknowledging the difficulty of restraining words but urging believers to let their speech reflect God’s righteousness rather than spread harm.