King James Version

What Does Psalms 140:11 Mean?

Psalms 140:11 in the King James Version says “Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. an: Heb. a man of...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 140 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. an: Heb. a man of tongue: or an evil speaker, a wicked man of violence be established in the earth: let him be hunted to his overthrow”

Psalms 140:11 · KJV

Context

9

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

10

Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

11

Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. an: Heb. a man of tongue: or an evil speaker, a wicked man of violence be established in the earth: let him be hunted to his overthrow

12

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

13

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. The final imprecatory petition returns from vivid judgment imagery (v. 10) to more measured statement of justice principles. "Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth" (ish lashon bal-yikon ba-aretz, אִישׁ לָשׁוֹן בַּל־יִכּוֹן בָּאָרֶץ) focuses on verbal evildoers. Ish lashon (אִישׁ לָשׁוֹן, "man of tongue") is idiomatic for slanderer, false accuser, malicious gossip—one who weaponizes speech. Kun (כּוּן, "be established, stand firm, endure") in negative form (bal-yikon, בַּל־יִכּוֹן) means "not be established." David prays that slanderers will not find secure position, lasting influence, or permanent success in society.

This prayer seeks justice at societal level. When slanderers prosper, truth suffers and innocent people are destroyed. God's righteous order requires that truth-speakers be established while liars be uprooted. Proverbs repeatedly warns that "a false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape" (Proverbs 19:5, 9). Society functions properly only when truth is valued and lies are exposed.

"Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him" (ish chamas yetsudenu le-madchefot, אִישׁ־חָמָס יְצוּדֶנּוּ לְמַדְחֵפֹת) declares poetic justice through hunting metaphor. Chamas (חָמָס, "violence") describes physical brutality, injustice, oppression. Tsud (צוּד, "hunt") suggests pursuing prey relentlessly. Madchephah (מַדְחֵפָה, "overthrow, thrust, push down") implies repeated blows driving someone down. The violent man becomes the hunted; evil itself pursues him. This reflects Proverbs 13:21: "Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed." Sin carries inherent consequences—violence breeds violence, and the violent ultimately suffer violence themselves (Matthew 26:52, Revelation 13:10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

David's concern that "evil speakers not be established" reflects his experience with slander's destructive power. Saul's court was filled with informants and accusers who poisoned the king against David (1 Samuel 24:9, 26:19). Doeg the Edomite's report about Ahimelech helping David resulted in massacring 85 priests and their families (1 Samuel 22:9-19)—slander leading to mass murder. During Absalom's rebellion, Shimei cursed David publicly with false accusations (2 Samuel 16:5-8). These experiences taught David that societies where slanderers prosper become unjust and dangerous. Proverbs, largely written by Solomon (David's son), repeatedly condemns lying tongues (Proverbs 6:16-19, 12:19, 12:22, 19:5). The ninth commandment forbids bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16), with Mosaic law prescribing that false accusers receive the punishment they sought to inflict on the accused (Deuteronomy 19:16-21).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it look like for 'evil speakers not to be established in the earth,' and how can believers work toward this through promoting truth?
  2. How does the principle that 'evil shall hunt the violent man' (poetic justice) provide comfort to victims while warning perpetrators?
  3. How should Christians balance Jesus's call to forgive enemies with David's prayers that evil not prosper and that justice be done?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
אִישׁ1 of 10

“Let not an evil speaker”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לָשׁוֹן֮2 of 10
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,

בַּל3 of 10
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יִכּ֪וֹן4 of 10

“be established”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

בָּ֫אָ֥רֶץ5 of 10

“in the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אִישׁ6 of 10

“Let not an evil speaker”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

חָמָ֥ס7 of 10

“the violent”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

רָ֑ע8 of 10

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

יְ֝צוּדֶ֗נּוּ9 of 10

“shall hunt”

H6679

to victual (for a journey)

לְמַדְחֵפֹֽת׃10 of 10

“to overthrow”

H4073

a push, i.e., ruin

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 140:11 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 140:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 34:21Proverbs 18:21Isaiah 3:11Proverbs 13:21Proverbs 17:20Psalms 12:3-4

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