As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

PSALMS 140:9KJV
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Psalms 140:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 140:9 mean?

Psalms 140:9 is a prayer asking that those who surround and threaten the speaker would be harmed by their own evil words—that the trouble they planned would come back on them. The verse pictures the harm (“mischief”) spoken by the enemies as something that will “cover” or overwhelm them instead.

The writer is David, speaking to God about people who are plotting against him. David asks God to let the consequences of their own words and schemes fall on their own heads. This verse highlights the idea that evil intentions and harmful speech often return to those who spread them, and it fits into a larger prayer for protection from violent and deceitful people.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 140:9

  • “head” (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This word can mean a literal head or a leader. Here, it points to the main people or leaders among David’s enemies, focusing the request on those most responsible.
  • “cover” (כָּסָה, kasah): This word means to cover, conceal, or overwhelm. In this verse, it suggests that the enemies’ own harmful words will come back to overwhelm or engulf them, not just affect them lightly.

Why Psalms 140:9 matters

  • Psalms 140:9 shows that David is not asking for random punishment, but for a fitting consequence—he wants the harm intended for him to return to the source.
  • The verse clarifies that the main threat is not just physical violence, but also the destructive power of words and schemes (“the mischief of their own lips”).
  • This request fits into the wider psalm, which is a plea for God’s justice and protection in the face of ongoing threats and slander.

Where else these words appear

“about” Hebrew H4524 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • 2 Kings 23:5 And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
  • Job 37:12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

“mischief” Hebrew H5999 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Psalms 55:10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
  • Ecclesiastes 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

“cover” Hebrew H3680 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Judges 4:19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.