King James Version

What Does Psalms 34:13 Mean?

Psalms 34:13 in the King James Version says “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”

Psalms 34:13 · KJV

Context

11

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12

What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

13

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

15

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Read Psalms 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. David begins practical instruction on fearing LORD (v. 11) by addressing speech. Controlling tongue is first step toward experiencing long, good life (v. 12), establishing that godliness manifests in how we speak.

Keep thy tongue from evil commands speech control. Keep (natsar) means guard, watch over, preserve. Tongue (lashon) represents speech, words, communication. From evil (ra') means from harm, badness, wickedness, destructive words. This isn't merely avoiding profanity but guarding against any harmful speech—slander, gossip, lies, hurtful words, divisive talk. Tongue is small member but directs whole body like rudder (James 3:4-5). Controlling it requires constant vigilance.

And thy lips from speaking guile provides parallel prohibition. Lips (saphah) represents what mouth says. Speaking guile (mirmah) means deceit, treachery, dishonesty. Guile includes lies, false testimony, misleading statements, deceptive omissions. Psalm 12:2-3 condemns those speaking vanity with flattering lips and double heart. Proverbs repeatedly warns against lying lips, false tongue, deceitful mouth (Proverbs 6:17, 12:22, 26:28).

Why does fearing LORD begin with speech control? Because tongue reveals heart (Matthew 12:34: out of abundance of heart mouth speaks). Can't fear God while speaking evil; can't honor Him while lying. Speech either glorifies God or dishonors Him, builds others up or tears them down, promotes truth or spreads falsehood. James 1:26 declares: If anyone thinks he is religious yet doesn't bridle tongue, this one's religion is vain. Genuine godliness controls speech.

Paul repeats this in Ephesians 4:25,29: Put away lying, speak truth with neighbor; let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth, but what is good for edification. Colossians 4:6: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. Disciples' speech should be truthful, gracious, edifying, purposeful. Controlling tongue is early evidence of growing in fear of LORD.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Torah regulated speech explicitly. Ninth commandment prohibits false witness (Exodus 20:16). Leviticus 19:16 forbids going about as talebearer, standing against neighbor's blood. Proverbs devotes extensive attention to speech—wise versus foolish words, truthful versus lying lips, edifying versus destructive tongue. Jewish wisdom recognized tongue's power to give life or death (Proverbs 18:21).

Jesus warned that every idle word will be accounted for in judgment (Matthew 12:36). Words reveal heart; speech demonstrates character. Early church regulated speech strictly. Ephesians 4:25-32, 5:4; Colossians 3:8-9, 4:6; James 1:19,26, 3:1-12, 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1, 3:10 all address tongue control. This emphasis across Scripture demonstrates speech's centrality to godliness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific kinds of speech fall under evil and guile that you need to guard against?
  2. Why does David begin instruction on fearing LORD with controlling tongue rather than other behaviors?
  3. How does your speech reveal what's truly in your heart—what does your typical speech pattern show?
  4. What practical strategies can you employ to keep tongue from evil and lips from speaking guile?
  5. In what ways does controlling speech demonstrate reverence for God and love for neighbors?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
נְצֹ֣ר1 of 6

“Keep”

H5341

to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)

לְשׁוֹנְךָ֣2 of 6

“thy 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,

מֵרָ֑ע3 of 6

“from evil”

H7451

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

וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ4 of 6

“and thy lips”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

מִדַּבֵּ֥ר5 of 6

“from speaking”

H1696

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

מִרְמָֽה׃6 of 6

“guile”

H4820

fraud

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 34:13 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 34:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 3:5-10Psalms 141:3Proverbs 21:231 Peter 2:22James 1:19Colossians 3:9

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