Psalms 31:18 Meaning: Can We Pray for God to Silence Liars?
Let the lying lips be mute, which speak against the righteous insolently, with pride and contempt.
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak against the righteous insolently, With pride and contempt.
Let lips of falsehood become dumb, That are speaking against the righteous, Ancient sayings, in pride and contempt.
Let the lying lips become dumb, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 31:18 shows David asking God to silence lying lips. This imprecatory prayer is a plea for divine justice, not personal revenge.
Context
Psalm 31 is a cry of trust from deep trouble. David faces enemies who slander him and plot against his life. In verses 14-15 he declares his trust in God: “My times are in your hand.” Then he asks God to act. Verse 18 is part of a series of petitions, alongside requests for deliverance and for the wicked to be silenced. David is not venting his anger. He is handing the whole situation over to the One who judges justly. The verse sits between a plea for rescue and a hymn of praise for God’s goodness (v.19-20). It shows that honest prayer can include asking God to stop the harm that false words cause.
Key Words
Three English phrases carry the force of this verse. “Lying lips” points to speech that is deliberately false, not just mistaken. The harm is not accidental. “Grievous things” (KJV) or “insolently” (WEB) describes words that are bold and reckless, as Barnes notes, spoken without care for truth or the damage they do. And “pride and contempt” reveal the heart behind the slander: a sense of superiority that looks down on the victim. David is not praying against ordinary disagreement. He is asking God to confront a kind of speech that comes from arrogance and intends to destroy. Understanding these words helps us see the verse as a cry for justice against real evil, not a petty wish for silence.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in different ways. Some, like Matthew Henry and Calvin, see it as a faithful prayer for God to vindicate the righteous and restrain the wicked. They note that David is appealing to God’s justice, not taking revenge himself. Others caution that under the New Covenant, Jesus commands us to love enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Some interpret the verse as looking forward to the final judgment, when all lies will be exposed and silenced. Across traditions, there is agreement that the prayer is for God to act, not for the believer to harbor hatred. The tension between justice and mercy remains a mystery that Christians hold in faith.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that David is cursing his enemies out of personal vengeance. In fact, the surrounding verses show he places his trust in God (v.14) and later praises God for mercy (v.21). The request for silence is a plea for divine justice, not a demand for personal satisfaction. David is surrendering his cause to the Judge of all the earth, confident that God sees the truth and will act rightly.
Living This Out
This week, you may hear a false rumor about yourself or someone you care about. The temptation is to defend yourself angrily or to spread your own version of the story. Before you speak, pause and whisper this verse to God. Let it be a way of handing the situation over to Him. You are not required to stay silent forever; you are invited to trust that God sees every word spoken against you. He can silence what needs to be silenced and bring truth to light in His time. That is a freedom worth holding onto.
Main takeaway: When slander wounds us, we can entrust our cause to God, who sees the truth and will one day silence every lying lip.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Sometimes people say mean things that aren’t true. You can tell God about it and trust Him to make it right. He hears you.
For ages 9, 12
When someone lies about you, it hurts a lot. David felt that way too. He prayed for God to silence the lies, not because he wanted revenge, but because he trusted God to be the judge. Instead of getting back at them, you can give the situation to God and ask Him to bring out the truth. That’s what it means to let God handle it.
Questions People Ask
Is it sinful to pray for God to silence my enemies like this verse does?
Not if the prayer is a cry for justice, not a demand for personal revenge. David trusted God to act rightly. The New Testament also lets us pray for God’s will to be done, including that evil would be stopped. The heart of the prayer matters.
What does 'lying lips' mean in Psalm 31:18?
It refers to deliberate, false speech intended to harm someone’s reputation or life. David is not talking about honest mistakes or different opinions. He is describing malicious slander that comes from pride and contempt.
How can I pray this verse without being unforgiving?
Focus on God’s justice and your trust in Him, not on your anger. You can pray, 'Lord, You know the truth. I give this situation to You. Please stop the harm and vindicate what is right.' That leaves room for God to also work repentance in the other person.
Does Psalm 31:18 apply to gossip and rumors?
Yes. Gossip often includes lies or exaggerations that damage reputations. David’s prayer covers all false, harmful speech. You can bring even small slanders to God, asking Him to protect the truth and bring peace.
Why does David ask for silence instead of forgiveness for his enemies?
In this moment, David is under severe attack. He cries out for immediate protection from the harm they are causing. Forgiveness and repentance for enemies is a theme elsewhere in Scripture; here, the focus is on asking God to stop the injustice.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study