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.
the mouth
Psalm 31:13,18 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life…
Psalm 64:3,4 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: …
Psalm 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
of the deceitful.
Psalm 120:3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
Proverbs 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
they speak against me with lying tongues.
The emphasis on "lying tongues" underscores the malicious intent behind the words spoken against the psalmist. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, one's reputation was crucial, and slander could lead to social and legal repercussions. The use of the tongue as a metaphor for speech is common in Scripture, highlighting the power of words to harm or heal (Proverbs 18:21). This phrase connects to other scriptures that warn against the dangers of the tongue, such as James 3:6-8. It also foreshadows the false testimonies brought against Jesus during His trial (Mark 14:56-59), further establishing a typological connection to Christ.
The psalmist immediately identifies the source of his distress—people characterized by moral corruption and intentional deception.
• Psalm 52:2 reminds us, “Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.”
• Jesus warns in Matthew 12:34 that “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks,” showing that wicked speech reveals a wicked heart.
• Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” among the things the LORD hates, underscoring the seriousness of this sin.
When we encounter such mouths today, we recognize the same spiritual battle David faced, and we remember that the Lord sees and judges every word.
These hostile voices are not passive; they actively “open” in aggression, taking aim at the righteous.
• Psalm 57:4 pictures enemies whose “teeth are spears and arrows,” highlighting the weapon-like nature of slander.
• In Acts 6:11-13 false witnesses “rose up” against Stephen, illustrating how godly servants throughout history have faced similar attacks.
The phrase assures believers that being targeted for righteousness is neither rare nor unexpected; it places us in the company of faithful saints.
The opposition is personal and direct. David is not merely hearing rumors; the lies are aimed at him.
• Psalm 35:11 says, “Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me things I do not know.”
• 1 Peter 3:16 encourages believers to keep a clear conscience “so that those who slander you may be put to shame,” confirming that God vindicates His people.
Knowing that God hears every accusation enables us to rest in His defense rather than retaliate in kind.
The core issue is falsehood. These tongues deliberately twist truth to harm.
• Psalm 120:2 pleads, “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips.”
• Revelation 21:8 warns that “all liars” will face judgment, proving God’s ultimate victory over deception.
• John 8:44 exposes the devil as “a liar and the father of lies,” showing the spiritual origin of such attacks.
Because God is “the God of truth” (Isaiah 65:16), we trust Him to expose lies and uphold His servants.
Psalm 109:2 portrays a righteous believer besieged by malicious, deceitful speech. David’s confidence is not in self-defense but in God, who hates lying tongues, hears every false word, and will vindicate His people. When we face similar slander, we stand firm, knowing the Lord who loves truth will ultimately silence every wicked and deceitful mouth.
(2) Of the deceitful.--Properly, as in margin, of deceit; consequently, to make the two expressions alike, it is proposed to read, instead of "mouth of the wicked" (properly, of a wicked man), "mouth of wickedness." In any case the best English equivalent will be, "a wicked mouth and a deceitful mouth." "A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword" (Whichcote).Spoken against me.--Rather (comp. Psalm 12:3), talked with me.
Verse 2. - For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful; literally, of deceit - the abstract for the concrete. Are opened against me; literally, hare they opened upon me (Kay, Cheyne, Revised Version). They have spoken against ms with a lying tongue (comp. Psalm 27:12; Psalm 35:11). Calumny and misrepresentation are ever the portion of the children of God. David was calumniated by Saul (1 Samuel 22:7-13), by Absalom (2 Samuel 15:3, 4), by Shimei (2 Samuel 16:8), and others. One more perfect than David was even more calumniated (Matthew 11:19; Matthew 12:24; Matthew 26:61; Luke 23:2, etc.).