Psalms 31:18 - Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.

Generated Verse: Psalms 31:18

What does "Psalms 31:18" mean?


Psalm 31:18, "Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt," is a powerful plea for justice and protection from slander. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"Let the lying lips be mute...": This is a prayer or a call for the silencing of those who speak falsehoods. The Psalmist is asking that those who spread lies be stopped from doing so. "Mute" suggests complete cessation of their hurtful speech.

"...which speak against the righteous...": This identifies the target of the lies. The "righteous" are those who strive to live according to God's will, who are innocent of the accusations being made against them, and may be those who are morally upright. The Psalmist feels unjustly attacked.

"...insolently, with pride and contempt.": This describes the manner in which the lies are being spread. "Insolently" implies boldness, arrogance, and disrespect. "Pride" shows the speakers are conceited and think themselves superior. "Contempt" suggests a feeling of disdain and scorn towards the righteous person they are speaking against. The lies are not just casual misstatements but are malicious, driven by a sense of superiority and a desire to demean.

In essence, the verse is a prayer for God to silence those who arrogantly and scornfully spread lies about innocent, righteous people. The Psalmist is asking for protection from the damage caused by slander and for justice to prevail.

Context and Interpretation:

Prayer for Justice: This verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms: a cry for God to defend the vulnerable and punish the wicked.
Protection from Slander: It highlights the devastating impact of false accusations and the desire for vindication.
Moral Outrage: The verse expresses righteous anger against those who use their words to harm others.
Personal Experience: It is likely the author of the Psalm experienced such injustice and is crying out to God as a result.

This verse can resonate with anyone who has been the victim of lies, malicious gossip, or unfair accusations. It offers a prayer for justice and a reminder that God sees and cares about those who are wronged.

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