By the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride, in the curses and lies they utter. By the sin of their mouthsThis phrase highlights the power and consequence of spoken words. In Hebrew, the word for "sin" is "חֵטְא" (chet), which implies a missing of the mark or a moral failure. The "mouth" (פֶּה, peh) is often seen as an instrument of expression, capable of both blessing and cursing. Theologically, this underscores the biblical principle that words are not trivial; they reflect the heart's condition ( Matthew 12:34). Historically, the Israelites were acutely aware of the power of speech, as seen in the blessings and curses pronounced by patriarchs and prophets. and the words of their lips
The "words" (דְּבָרִים, devarim) here are not just casual utterances but deliberate expressions that carry weight and intention. "Lips" (שְׂפָתַיִם, sefatayim) symbolize articulation and communication. In the ancient Near Eastern context, spoken words were binding and could invoke divine action. This phrase serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with speech, echoing James 3:5-6, which warns of the tongue's potential for destruction. let them be trapped in their pride
"Pride" (גַּאֲוָה, ga'avah) is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with self-exaltation and a departure from reliance on God. The imagery of being "trapped" (לָכַד, lakad) suggests a snare or a pitfall, a common metaphor in the Psalms for divine justice. This reflects the biblical principle that pride precedes downfall (Proverbs 16:18). Historically, the downfall of proud nations and leaders serves as a testament to this truth, reinforcing the call to humility before God. for the curses and lies they utter
"Curses" (אָלָה, alah) and "lies" (כָּזָב, kazav) are potent forms of speech that invoke harm and deceit. In the biblical context, curses were not mere expressions of anger but were believed to have real spiritual consequences. "Lies" undermine truth, which is foundational to God's character (John 14:6). The act of "uttering" (דָּבַר, dabar) these reflects a willful engagement in falsehood and malice. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the moral and spiritual implications of our words, urging believers to align their speech with truth and righteousness. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 59, who wrote this psalm as a plea for deliverance from his enemies. He was anointed as the future king of Israel and faced many adversaries, including King Saul. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who became jealous of David and sought to kill him. This psalm is traditionally understood to be written during the time when Saul sent men to watch David's house to kill him. 3. Enemies of DavidThe individuals who sought to harm David, often characterized by their deceitful and malicious speech. 4. IsraelThe nation where these events took place, and the people whom David was destined to lead. 5. GodThe ultimate judge and deliverer, whom David calls upon for protection and justice against his enemies. Teaching Points The Power of WordsOur words have significant power and can lead to our downfall if used sinfully. We must be mindful of what we say, as our words reflect our hearts. Pride and Its ConsequencesPride can blind us to our faults and lead us into traps of our own making. Humility before God and others is essential to avoid the pitfalls of pride. God's JusticeGod is aware of the injustices we face and will hold accountable those who speak lies and curses. We can trust in His righteous judgment. Self-ReflectionWe should examine our own speech and attitudes, ensuring they align with God's truth and love, rather than deceit and pride. Prayer for DeliveranceLike David, we can turn to God in times of trouble, seeking His protection and deliverance from those who speak against us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the context of David's life and his relationship with Saul enhance our understanding of Psalm 59:12? 2. In what ways can the power of words, as described in Psalm 59:12, be seen in our daily lives and interactions? 3. How does pride manifest in our speech, and what steps can we take to guard against it? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the impact of someone else's words. How did you respond, and what biblical principles can guide your future responses? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Psalm 59:12 to ensure our words align with God's will, and what other scriptures support this application? Connections to Other Scriptures James 3:6This verse discusses the power of the tongue and its potential for destruction, similar to how David describes the sin of his enemies' mouths. Proverbs 18:21This proverb highlights the power of words, reinforcing the idea that the tongue can bring life or death, much like the curses and lies mentioned in Psalm 59:12. Matthew 12:36-37Jesus speaks about being accountable for every careless word, which connects to the idea of being trapped by one's own words as seen in Psalm 59:12. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Account, Captured, Caught, Curse, Curses, Cursing, Deceit, Lies, Lips, Lying, Mouth, Mouths, Pride, Recount, Sin, Speak, Trapped, UtterDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:12 5164 lips Library Waiting and Singing
'Because of his strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence.... 17. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.'--PSALM lix. 9, 17. There is an obvious correspondence between these two verses even as they stand in our translation, and still more obviously in the Hebrew. You observe that in the former verse the words 'because of' are a supplement inserted by our translators, because they did not exactly know what to make of the bare words as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Wherefore this do Ye, virgins of God, this do Ye...
53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in lowly wise unto the Lowly, if ye love: and depart not from Him, lest ye fall. For whoso fears to depart from Him asks and says, "Let there not come to me foot of pride." [2214] Go on in the way of loftiness with the foot of lowliness; Himself lifteth up such as follow in lowly wise, …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ, and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,) were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they should be lifted up. [2679] For their good works did not come before God's mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and by them written, long ere …
St. Augustine—On Patience Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 59:12 NIVPsalm 59:12 NLTPsalm 59:12 ESVPsalm 59:12 NASBPsalm 59:12 KJV
Psalm 59:12 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
