Psalm 5:9

Translations

Modern

For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

Traditional

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.

Literal

For there is no firmness in his mouth; within them is destruction; their throat is a grave being wide open; they make their tongue smooth.

Latin

Quoniam non est in ore eorum veritas; cor eorum vanum est.

Original

Hebrew

English

For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

Notes

Psalms 5:9–10

The psalmist again describes the terrible acts of the wicked, who cannot stand in God’s presence.

Psalms 5:1–12

This morning prayer (Psalm 5:3) shows strong trust in the Lord's help and protection. The psalmist asks for God's response and waits for it (Psalm 5:1–3).

He describes the plans of the wicked in detail but stays focused on God. The psalmist knows the wicked cannot be with God (Psalm 5:4–6, 9; see 1:5).

He keeps returning to the Lord (Psalm 5:7–8, 10; see 5:1–3), and then he prays for the godly community (5:10–12; see 3:8).

Psalms 3:1–7:17

This group of psalms moves from an orderly world to a troubled one. Psalms 1–2 describe stability. The righteous person is blessed, and the Lord’s anointed king rules with authority.

In the psalms that follow, the tone changes. The Lord’s anointed cries out for help. He faces enemies, strong opposition, and evil plans.

It even seems at times that the Lord is far away. The psalmist feels confusion and distress instead of confidence and calm.

Theme notes and profiles

David The Heart in the Psalms

Related verses

Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”
Jeremiah 9:3–6
“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.
Psalm 62:4
They fully intend to cast him down from his lofty perch; they delight in lies; with their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah
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.
Proverbs 29:5
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Psalm 52:2
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
Luke 11:44
Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.”
Psalm 51:6
Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalm 64:6
They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.
Psalm 12:2–3
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Job 32:21–22
I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

Glossary

David Imprecatory Psalms Music Nehiloth Psalms, Book of

Topics

Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Faithfulness: The Wicked Devoid of Falsehood: General Scriptures Concerning Flattery: General Scriptures Concerning Flattery: The Wicked Use, to Others Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Sincerity: Evil People are Devoid of Sincerity: The Wicked Devoid of Wicked (People): Described

Psalm 5:9

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