Psalms 140-141 - Perspectives on the Tongue

by Becky

LINK: Psalm 140 and Psalm 141

Both these psalms deal with the use of the tongue – with verbal sin.

BACKGROUND AND REFLECTION

Psalm 140

David faced enemies on the battlefield throughout his life, so understood violence. He had needed God’s protection many times. This psalm, though, asks God for protection from a different kind of enemy, those who do violence with their words. The psalm implies that these enemies weren’t from a godless nation, either, but were from among the nation of Israel. David compares their tongues to a serpent’s tongue, to the venom of the asp. Both animals’ tongues sting and poison, and so do these people’s tongues. Their words demonstrate the evil in their hearts. They want to cause trouble. They use their speech to trap and to stir up animosity. They slander others for their own gain.

David makes clear his trust in the LORD here. He asks God to deliver, preserve, and guard him. He knows that God has done it in the past and he’s confident that He will do it again.

The psalm asks that those enemies be punished in a way that fits their crime. David asks God to let them be punished through their own words. Let “the mischief of their lips overwhelm them.” (9) These people bring about evil through their speech and David wants them caught up by the evil that they bring about.

So how is that proper for one of God’s people to pray that way? First, it is clear from the psalm that these “enemies” intend to do damage. They want to hurt and wound and cause trouble. The prayer faces circumstances the way they really are. These people want to hurt God’s servant and want to exalt themselves over God. If they succeed they will do great damage. It’s also a just prayer. David is simply asking for justice. Finally, it’s clear that this prayer isn’t a vengeful or vindictive response to personal injury, but is an appeal to God based on faith. David doesn’t seek vengeance himself; He leaves these evil people in God’s hands.

One reason I love the psalms is for their honesty. This is an honest prayer. We can’t get to real love without honesty, without going through justice first.

The prayer ends with a declaration of trust in the LORD followed by a response:

“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.”

David knows that God is in charge and that He will do what is right. Rather than stewing about injury or figuring out how to get even, the righteous (those made right with God through faith) live in God’s presence and give thanks to Him.

The theme of the next psalm, Psalm 141, is a natural extension of what David dealt with here in Psalm 140. I am so glad that it follows immediately because I think it shows how we are often tempted.

Psalm 141

After praying about the evil done by others with their speech (Psalm 140), David dives right into his own heart and turns to the LORD.

David had been hurt by the words of others. He is coming to God with his evening prayers, laying his heart before the LORD. He is tempted to use his own mouth as a weapon, to hurt those who hurt him.

So he does the only thing any of us can do in that situation. He prays honestly and asks God to guard his lips, to set a watch over his mouth, to keep his heart from wanting to repay evil with evil. He realizes that he can easily be caught up in the net of sin and snared by his own words. He doesn’t want to be like those who are sinning with their speech.

There is a kind of parenthesis in the middle of this psalm. David makes clear that there is a difference between slanderous words meant to injure and the admonition of someone who holds him accountable:

"Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;
let my head not refuse it." (5)

It is not ever enjoyable to be rebuked, but David recognizes that it is a kindness, even a kind of blessing, to be rebuked by someone who loves the LORD, who is righteous.

David turns to the LORD for refuge and defense.

That’s what we should do.

APPLICATION

I don’t know which side of this use of the tongue issue you find yourself on today. Maybe both.

Perhaps you are using your words as weapons to sting and hurt someone else. If so, stop! Turn to the LORD and ask forgiveness and ask Him to guard your mouth.

When others spread gossip about us or say things that aren’t true about us, it hurts. Frequently we want to get even. But that’s not the response the LORD wants us to have. Our response shouldn’t be to repay in like kind. We should recognize what has happened. We have been sinned against. Then we get the chance to turn to our Lord Jesus, who surely understands what it is to be slandered. Like David, we can turn to Him for refuge and ask Him for justice. Leave the desire for justice with Him (and the anger and bitterness).

And even more, we know that Jesus died for us, and not because we are good and deserve it! “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) He understands what it is to be slandered, yet He not only refused to reply in like kind, but He took on the punishment for those who have been guilty of it. If He can forgive, then surely those of us who are called by His name can, too. So do that.

PRAYER

Father, we ask that you set a guard over not only our mouths and lips, but that you watch our hearts, too. Give us honest hearts that look to you for refuge when we are gossiped about or slandered. We don’t want to strike out in like kind. Help us to love as you love. Help us not to gloss over sin, but to recognize it and then deal with it in a way that pleases you and reflects you.