Psalm 140

Psalms · Chapter 140

Psalms 140:3

1Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;2Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.4Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.5The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.6I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.7O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.9As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.10Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.11Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.12I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.13Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah.They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. SelahThey have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders’ poison is under their lips. [Selah

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
they sharpenשָֽׁנֲנ֣וּsha-na-NUH8150
to sharpen

שָׁנַן (sha.nan) 1) to sharpen, whet 1a) (Qal) to whet, sharpen 1b) (Piel) to sharpen, teach (incisively) 1c)(Hithpolel) to be pierced

tongue theirלְשׁוֹנָם֮le-sho-NAMH3956G
tongue

לָשׁוֹן (la.shon) : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)

likeכְּֽמוֹ־ke-mov-H3644G
like

כְּמוֹ (ke.mo) adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were

a snakeנָ֫חָ֥שׁna-CHASHH5175
serpent

נָחָשׁ (na.chash) 1) serpent, snake 1a) serpent 1b) image (of serpent) 1c) fleeing serpent (mythological)

[the] venom ofחֲמַ֥תcha-MATH2534
rage

חֱמָא (che.ma) anger, rage Aramaic of che.mah (חֵמָה "rage" H2534)

a viperעַכְשׁ֑וּב'akh-SHUVH5919
viper

עַכְשׁוּב (akh.shuv) 1) asp, viper 1a) asp, viper 1b) perhaps spider

[is] underתַּ֖חַתTA-chatH8478G
under

תְּחוֹת (te.chot) under Aramaic of ta.chat (תַּחַת ": under" H8478)

lips theirשְׂפָתֵ֣ימוֹse-fa-TEI-movH8193G
lips

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Selahסֶֽלָה׃SE-lahH5542
Selah

סֶ֫לָה (se.lah) § 1) to lift up, exalt 1a) Selah 1a1) a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.