Psalms 31:18 (KJV)

What does Psalms 31:18 mean?

Psalms 31:18 is a prayer asking that those who tell lies and speak harshly against innocent people would be silenced. The verse describes the speaker’s desire for justice against those who use their words to harm and look down on the righteous.

King David is speaking in this psalm, calling out to God during a time of trouble. He is surrounded by enemies who use deceitful and arrogant speech against him and others who try to do what is right. The verse highlights the pain caused by false accusations and proud insults, and expresses a longing for God to stop those who use their words to hurt the innocent.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 31:18

• "lying" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means falsehood or deception. The focus is on people who intentionally twist the truth, not just those who make mistakes.
• "silence" (דָּמַם, damam): This word often means to be still or quiet, sometimes with the sense of being stopped or made powerless. Here, it is a plea for the harmful speech to be brought to an end.
• "grievous" (עָתַק, athaq): This word can mean harsh, cruel, or even violent. It shows that the words spoken are not just lies, but deeply hurtful or damaging.
• "proudly" (גָּאוֹן, gaon) and "contemptuously" (בָּזוּי, bazuy): These words suggest not just arrogance, but also a sense of looking down on others with scorn. The verse points out both the pride and the disrespect in the speech of the wicked.

Why Psalms 31:18 matters

• This verse clarifies that the harm done by words—especially lies and insults—can be just as serious as physical harm, and that seeking God’s help against such attacks is valid.
• The verse emphasizes the theme of justice in Psalms 31, showing that David is not asking for revenge, but for God to defend those who are wrongly accused or mistreated.
• By naming both pride and contempt, the verse highlights that the problem is not only falsehood, but also the attitude of superiority and disdain that often comes with it.