King James Version

What Does Psalms 109:2 Mean?

Psalms 109:2 in the King James Version says “For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lyi...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 109 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. of the deceitful: Heb. of deceit are opened: Heb. have opened themselves”

Psalms 109:2 · KJV

Context

1

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

2

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. of the deceitful: Heb. of deceit are opened: Heb. have opened themselves

3

They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

4

For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me—The Hebrew פִּי רָשָׁע וּפִי־מִרְמָה (pi rasha ufi-mirmah) emphasizes dual sources of opposition: the openly wicked and the deliberately deceptive. David faces coordinated slander, not isolated criticism. They have spoken against me with a lying tongue (לְשׁוֹן שֶׁקֶר, leshon sheker)—the tongue of falsehood, which Proverbs lists among the seven abominations God hates (Prov 6:16-19).

This verse establishes the psalm's context: David suffers not from honest disagreement but from malicious fabrication. The imprecatory prayers that follow (vv. 6-19) respond to covenant-breaking treachery, not personal offense. Christ experienced this same betrayal from Judas and false witnesses (Matt 26:59-60), making Psalm 109 messianic in application—Peter cited verse 8 regarding Judas's replacement (Acts 1:20).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Traditionally attributed to David during Absalom's rebellion or conflicts with Saul's loyalists. Ancient Near Eastern treaty curses similarly invoked divine judgment on covenant-breakers. The psalm's severity reflects covenant theology: those who betray God's anointed invite the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between criticism that deserves humble response versus slander that requires firm resistance?
  2. When falsely accused, how does David's resort to prayer (v. 4) rather than retaliation model Christ-like response?
  3. What does coordinated deception reveal about spiritual warfare beyond merely human opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
כִּ֤י1 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וּֽפִי2 of 11

“For the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

רָשָׁ֡ע3 of 11

“of the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

וּֽפִי4 of 11

“For the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

מִ֭רְמָה5 of 11

“of the deceitful”

H4820

fraud

עָלַ֣י6 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פָּתָ֑חוּ7 of 11

“are opened”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

דִּבְּר֥וּ8 of 11

“against me they have spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אִ֝תִּ֗י9 of 11
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

לְשׁ֣וֹן10 of 11

“tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

שָֽׁקֶר׃11 of 11

“against me with a lying”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 109:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 109:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 52:4Proverbs 6:17Psalms 120:2-3Acts 6:13Proverbs 12:19Jeremiah 9:5

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