Psalms 140:3 Commentary: The Poisonous Tongue of the Wicked

The superscription attributes this psalm to David, and the content fits his experiences fleeing from Saul or from Absalom. The enemies are described as “evil men” and “violent men” (v.1) who “devise mischief” and “gather for war” (v.2). The metaphor of sharpening the tongue like a serpent draws on a common ancient image: the serpent’s tongue was thought to be a weapon, with poison hidden in its mouth. Commentators like Calvin and Kimchi note that the serpent hisses and moves its tongue before striking, an image of deliberate, premeditated attack.

The rare Hebrew word “achshub” (adder) appears only here, and Keil and Delitzsch connect it to roots meaning to bend or coil, emphasizing the serpent’s deceptive movement. The “Selah” at the end (also in vv.5,8) likely signals a pause for musical emphasis or meditation on the gravity of the plea. In the larger structure of the psalm, this verse sits within the opening complaint (vv.1-5), followed by petitions for protection (vv.4-8) and imprecations against enemies (vv.9-11). The psalm ends with confidence in God’s justice.

Paul’s quotation in Romans 3:13 strips the verse of its specific historical referent and uses it to diagnose the human condition, speech as a marker of sin. This reading, while a development of the original meaning, remains consistent with the psalm’s own theology that God alone can deliver from the poison of deceit.

The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Psalm 140:3. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The Septuagint rendering is quoted by Paul in Romans 3:13 and matches the Hebrew closely.

Psalm 140:3 has primarily been received through its quotation in Romans 3:13. The early church, following Paul, used the verse to illustrate the sinfulness of human speech and the need for redemption. Augustine and other Latin fathers referenced it in discussions of original sin and the depravity of the will. In Reformation exegesis, Calvin and Luther read it as both a historical complaint of David and a prophetic indictment of all humanity. The verse has also been used in liturgical contexts as a confession of sin, particularly in prayers for purification of the tongue. Modern scholars continue to debate the relationship between the psalm’s original setting and its universal application in the New Testament.

Three-point outline

1. The Weapon of Words: They sharpen their tongues like a serpent. The tongue is not a passive organ; it is deliberately whetted to wound. Compare Psalm 64:3, where the wicked “sharpen their tongue like a sword.”
2. The Poison of Deceit: Viper’s poison is under their lips. The deadliest threat is hidden, concealed beneath friendly or careless talk. Psalm 58:4 says, “Their poison is like the poison of a snake.”
3. The Prayer for Deliverance: David does not answer poison with poison; he cries to Yahweh. Verses 1 and 4 frame the complaint with pleas to be kept from violent men.

Five-point outline

1. Deliberate attack: “They have sharpened” shows calculated intent.
2. Like a serpent: The image suggests both cunning and deadliness.
3. Hidden poison: “Under their lips” indicates that the worst is not obvious.
4. Selah: This pause forces the reader to sit with the weight of the accusation.
5. The New Testament lens: Romans 3:13 shows that this is not just David’s problem, it is everyone’s.

Illustration hooks

• A school rumor: A whispered remark about a classmate grows into something that destroys a reputation. The original speaker may have “sharpened” the words carefully, but the poison spreads beyond control.
• Political slander: In any era, opponents sharpen their tongues to destroy trust. The image fits modern smear campaigns as well as ancient court intrigue.
• Online comments: A keyboard can become a serpent’s fang, coiling into a reply that injects venom into a conversation. The “poison under the lips” now appears on a screen.

Questions your congregation is asking

• “I know gossip is wrong, but how do I stop it when everyone else does it?”
• “Can my words really hurt someone like a snakebite, or is that an exaggeration?”
• “If this verse applies to all humanity, what hope is there for my own tongue?”

This verse paints a disturbing picture of human speech. But it does not leave us without hope. David’s prayer shows that the same God who created our mouths can cleanse and redirect them. As you discuss, let the honesty of the psalm challenge you, and let its turn toward God in the final verses (140:12-13) encourage you.

Discussion questions

1. Read Psalm 140:1-3. What do these verses tell us about David’s situation? What emotions do you notice?
2. The word “sharpened” suggests intentionality. In what ways do people today deliberately sharpen their words to hurt others?
3. Why do you think the psalmist uses the image of a serpent? What does a snake’s method of attack add to the picture of harmful speech?
4. Look at Romans 3:13. Why would Paul quote this verse to describe all people, not just David’s enemies? Do you find that diagnosis fair? Why or why not?
5. The word “Selah” appears after this verse. What does it mean to pause and meditate on the power of words, both others’ and our own?
6. How does the rest of the psalm (especially vv.6-8 and 12-13) balance the dark opening? What does David trust God to do?
7. In your own life, has someone’s “poisonous” speech ever wounded you? How did you respond? How might this psalm guide you?