Psalms 34:13 (KJV)

What does Psalms 34:13 mean?

Psalms 34:13 urges the reader to avoid saying harmful things and to keep from speaking with deceit or dishonesty. The verse calls for careful control over one’s words, encouraging honesty and kindness in speech.

In this psalm, David is speaking, sharing wisdom with those who listen to him after being delivered from danger. The verse is part of a section where David teaches about living a good life, emphasizing that what a person says is a key part of living rightly before God and others.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 34:13

• The word "keep" (נָצַר, natsar) means to guard or watch over carefully. This suggests an active, ongoing effort to control what comes out of one’s mouth, not just a passive avoidance.
• "Tongue" (לָשׁוֹן, lashon) refers to speech in general, highlighting that the focus is on all spoken words, not just a few.
• "Evil" (רַע, ra) often means anything harmful or morally wrong, so the warning covers both hurtful and wicked speech.
• "Guile" (מִרְמָה, mirmah) means deceit or trickery, pointing to speech that is misleading or dishonest, not just outright lies.

Why Psalms 34:13 matters

• This verse clarifies that living rightly involves not only actions but also the words a person chooses, showing that speech is a central part of moral life.
• The emphasis on both avoiding evil and guile shows that honesty and kindness are both required, not just refraining from obvious wrongdoing.
• In the context of the psalm, this advice is part of a broader teaching on seeking peace and pursuing it, connecting careful speech to a life marked by goodness and harmony.