Psalms 34:13
Psalms 34:13 in Multiple Translations
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from words of deceit.
Then don't let your tongue speak evil, or your lips tell lies.
Keepe thy tongue from euill, and thy lips, that they speake no guile.
Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking deceit.
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.
do not say anything that is evil! Do not tell lies!
If that’s what you want, don’t say bad things about other people, and don’t lie to them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 34:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 34:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מִֽי
הָ֭/אִישׁ
הֶ/חָפֵ֣ץ
חַיִּ֑ים
אֹהֵ֥ב
יָ֝מִ֗ים
לִ/רְא֥וֹת
טֽוֹב
מִֽי
mîy
H4310
who?
Part
הָ֭/אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
Art | N-ms
הֶ/חָפֵ֣ץ
châphêts
H2655
delighting
Art | Adj
חַיִּ֑ים
chay
H2416
alive
N-mp
אֹהֵ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
to love
V-Qal
יָ֝מִ֗ים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
לִ/רְא֥וֹת
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
טֽוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 34:13
מִֽי
mîy
H4310
"who?"
Part
This word is used to ask questions like who, whose, or whom. It can also be used to express a wish, like would that or whoever. It appears in many forms throughout the Bible, often in phrases like O that or what.
Definition: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever
Usage: Occurs in 342 OT verses. KJV: any (man), [idiom] he, [idiom] him, [phrase] O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), [phrase] would to God. See also: Genesis 3:11; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalms 4:7.
הָ֭/אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
הֶ/חָפֵ֣ץ
châphêts
H2655
"delighting"
Art | Adj
This word describes someone who delights in something, like a person who takes pleasure in following God's commands. It's about having a strong desire or liking for something.
Definition: desiring, delighting in, having pleasure in
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: delight in, desire, favour, please, have pleasure, whosoever would, willing, wish. See also: 1 Kings 13:33; Psalms 34:13; Psalms 5:5.
חַיִּ֑ים
chay
H2416
"alive"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
אֹהֵ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
"to love"
V-Qal
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
יָ֝מִ֗ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
לִ/רְא֥וֹת
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
טֽוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 34:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 34:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 34:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 34:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 34:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 34:13
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 34:13
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 34:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 34:13
- Sermons on Psalms 34:13
Context — Taste and See That the LORD Is Good
11Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?
13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 3:5–10 | In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! |
| 2 | Psalms 141:3 | Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. |
| 3 | Proverbs 21:23 | He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. |
| 4 | 1 Peter 2:22 | “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” |
| 5 | James 1:26 | If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. |
| 6 | Colossians 3:9 | Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, |
| 7 | James 1:19 | My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, |
| 8 | James 3:2 | We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. |
| 9 | Proverbs 13:3 | He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. |
| 10 | Psalms 39:1 | I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.” |
Psalms 34:13 Summary
Psalms 34:13 teaches us to be careful with the words we speak, avoiding lies, gossip, and hurtful language. This means being truthful and kind in all our interactions, as seen in Ephesians 4:29. By doing so, we can build trust and strengthen our relationships with others, and also honor God with our words. As noted in Proverbs 21:23, watching our words is an important part of living a virtuous life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of evil speech is being referred to in Psalms 34:13?
The evil speech referred to in Psalms 34:13 includes lying, gossip, and any form of communication that harms or deceives others, as seen in Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 3:8.
How can we keep our tongues from evil as instructed in this verse?
To keep our tongues from evil, we must be mindful of our words and seek to edify others, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29, and also pray for self-control, as seen in Proverbs 21:23.
Is it really possible to completely avoid deceitful speech?
While it may be challenging, it is possible to avoid deceitful speech by being truthful and honest in all our interactions, as commanded in Exodus 20:16 and encouraged in Zechariah 8:16-17.
What role does the tongue play in our spiritual lives?
The tongue plays a significant role in our spiritual lives, as it can either bring life or death, as seen in Proverbs 18:21, and can also impact our relationship with God, as noted in James 1:26.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have used my tongue to harm or deceive others, and how can I make amends?
- How can I cultivate a habit of speaking truthfully and kindly, even in difficult situations?
- In what ways can I use my words to edify and encourage others, as instructed in Ephesians 4:29?
- What are some practical steps I can take to guard my tongue and keep it from evil, as encouraged in Psalms 34:13?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 34:13
Keep thy tongue from evil,.... This, and what follows in this verse and Psalms 34:14, point at the things wherein the fear of God shows itself; and suggest, that those who have it, and which is known
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 34:13
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Keep thy tongue. This verse refers to words. [camekh (c)]
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 34:13
From evil; from all manner of evil-speaking, from all opprobrious, injurious, false, and deceitful speeches; which, though men commonly use to ease and gratify their own minds, or to compass their designs, do frequently fall upon their own heads, by provoking both God and men against them. Guile; or guileful words, contrary to thy intentions, and with a purpose of deceiving men by them.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 34:13
Psalms 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.Ver. 13. Keep thy tongue from evil, &c.] This is a hard saying, think the most; who will therefore rather venture it than yield to be so tied up. The tongue is an unruly member, and can hardly be hampered. But who would not temper his tongue, and bind it to the good abearance, for true blessedness? Who would not rather bite it off, and spit it out (as that ancient martyr did his, into the face of the tyrant, who solicited him to deny Christ), than miss heaven? Ficinus after his tract De sanitate tuenda, of keeping good health; and another, of recovering health; and a third, of prolonging life; because all will not do, wisely addeth a fourth, of laying hold on eternal life; which cannot be done but by mortifying this earthly member, a loose and lewd tongue. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned, saith the Judge himself, Matthew 12:37 : compare Genesis 49:21, with Deuteronomy 33:23, and it will appear that good words ingratiate with God and men.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 34:13
13. Keep] Guard. Cp. Proverbs 13:3 (R.V.); Proverbs 21:23; Psalms 39:1; James 3:2 ff. guile] Deceit. Cp. Psalms 35:20; Psalms 36:3.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 34:13
Keep thy tongue from evil - From speaking wrong things. Always give utterance to truth, and truth alone. The meaning is, that this is one of the methods of lengthening out life.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 34:13
12-14. Contain instructions for useful and happy living: first in the government of the tongue, and an honest and sincere habit of speech; secondly in the avoidance of evil, and the diligent pursuit of peace.
Sermons on Psalms 34:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the theme of redemption and foreshadowing in the word of God. He emphasizes that even though the nation of Israel faced discipline and conseq |
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Taranaki Bible Conference January 19-2012 - 2 of 5 Sermons by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a doll that was buried and how it grew into the shape of the doll. He uses this story to emphasize the message that sin will event |
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Grave Warnings! by David Daniel | David Daniel emphasizes the sacredness of entering the house of the Lord, warning against the dangers of familiarity that can lead to contempt. He urges believers to approach worsh |
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And the Lord, Seeking His Laborer by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of seeking true and everlasting life by keeping our speech pure and turning away from evil, while actively pursuing peace. He remin |
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Some of the Mis Representations by Job Scott | In this sermon, the preacher exposes the misrepresentations contained in a pamphlet titled 'A Letter from a Friend in America to Luke Howard of Tottenham, near London.' The preache |
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His Tongue Is an Unruly Member by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of time and how it is misused in today's society. He emphasizes the power of man to subdue and control various creatures, but highli |
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Holiness and Unclean Lips by Harold Vaughan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of our words and how they reveal our true character. He warns that our own words will either stand against us or for us at th |