Psalms 35:20 Meaning: When the Peaceful Become Targets of Deceit
For they don’t speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
For they speak not peace; But they devise deceitful words against them that are quiet in the land.
For they speak not peace, And against the quiet of the land, Deceitful words they devise,
For they speak not peace; and they devise deceitful words against the quiet in the land.
Meaning in one sentence
What does Psalm 35:20 mean? David describes enemies who refuse peace and craft lies against the gentle. A cry for God to see and act.
Context
David wrote this psalm during a time when powerful people were trying to destroy him. They had no reason to hate him, but they kept inventing accusations. In the verses just before this one, he begged God not to let them gloat over his suffering. Now he describes the pattern of their cruelty: they will not speak peace, and they carefully design lies against people who only want to live quietly. This is not a casual observation. It is part of David’s appeal for God to wake up, see what is happening, and defend him. The whole psalm moves between raw complaint and confident trust, and this verse sits at the heart of that struggle.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words give this verse its weight. The first is shalom, peace. It means more than the absence of conflict. It carries wholeness, health, settledness in relationships. David says the enemies “don’t speak peace”, they refuse to say or do anything that builds genuine good will. The second word is ragéa, translated “quiet.” It pictures people who shrink back from strife, who prefer to stay out of fights. The word has a gentle feel, not timid in a cowardly way, but deliberately peaceful. The third word is mirma, deceit. Lies that are carefully shaped. The enemies do not just blurt out accusations; they devise them (the verb chashav means to plot or calculate). So the picture is deliberate: people who could choose peace instead choose to craft false stories against those who have no desire to quarrel. That is the cruelty David is asking God to see.
How Christians Read This Verse
Reformed commentators like Calvin and Matthew Henry see this as David’s plea against those who slander him to win favor with King Saul. They note that the word “quiet” describes the righteous, those who want to live peaceably under God. Gill and other Baptist writers connect the verse to Christ, who was called “the humble one in the earth” and faced similar lies. Anglican commentators point out that the enemies’ behavior is the opposite of “the fear of the Lord” described in Psalm 34. Across traditions, Christians agree that this verse exposes the real nature of malice: it is not just angry words, but calculated deception aimed at innocent people. Both sides of the interpretive debate focus on the same thing, God sees the scheme and the sufferer.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think “quiet in the land” means people who are weak, timid, or easy to push around. In fact, the Hebrew word ragéa describes those who deliberately choose peace over conflict. It is a posture of strength, not fear. David is not complaining that he is too passive to defend himself. He is saying his enemies attack him even though he has done nothing to provoke them and wants nothing but peace.
Living This Out
You may know what it feels like when someone twists your words. Maybe a coworker misrepresents your motives. Maybe a family member repeats a story that is not true. Your first instinct might be to fight back or to prove you are right. This verse gives you another way. You can bring the deceit to God the same way David did. You do not have to pretend it does not hurt. But you also do not have to carry the burden of fixing it yourself. You can say, “Lord, You see what they are doing. I am going to stay quiet and trust You to set things right.” That is not weakness. That is faith in action this week.
Main takeaway: God sees when we are misrepresented by those who refuse peace, and He hears our cry for justice.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people say mean things that are not true. But God knows the truth. You can ask Him to help you.
For ages 9, 12
When someone spreads a lie about you, it hurts. In this psalm, David shows us what to do: tell God about it. He does not get even. He prays. You can do the same. God sees the whole story, and He is the best judge of what is fair.
Questions People Ask
Who are 'those who are quiet in the land' in Psalm 35:20?
The phrase describes people who deliberately choose a peaceful, non-confrontational life. The Hebrew word ragéa carries the sense of shrinking back from conflict, not from fear but from a commitment to peace. David counts himself among them.
Does Psalm 35:20 justify praying against your enemies?
This verse is part of a psalm where David honestly expresses his pain and asks God to act. He does not take revenge himself; he brings the injustice to God. Christians have understood this as a model for bringing our real hurts to God, while also remembering Jesus' command to love our enemies.
Is it wrong to want peace when others are lying about you?
No. Wanting peace is a good desire. David is not called 'quiet' as an insult; it describes a godly preference for harmony. The problem is that the enemies reject peace and choose deceit. The verse reassures us that God sees that dynamic.
How does this verse connect to the rest of Psalm 35?
It deepens David's complaint about his enemies' motives. Earlier he described their mockery and violence. Here he exposes their calculated deception. This builds his case for why God must intervene: the attacks are not just painful, they are unjust and premeditated.
What does 'devise deceitful words' mean in practical terms?
It means carefully planning false statements to harm someone. The Hebrew verb chashav implies calculation and intent. This is not a slip of the tongue but a deliberate strategy to ruin a reputation or provoke conflict. David's enemies are not just angry; they are cunning.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study