Psalms 140:9
As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Biblical history repeatedly demonstrates this principle of enemies' schemes backfiring. Haman built gallows for Mordecai but was hanged on it himself (Esther 7:9-10). Daniel's accusers plotted his death via lions' den law, then were thrown to the lions themselves with their families (Daniel 6:24). Those who accused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were consumed by the furnace's flames (Daniel 3:22). Jesus warned: "with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again" (Matthew 7:2). Judas's thirty pieces of silver, gained by betraying Jesus, purchased the field where he died (Matthew 27:3-8, Acts 1:18-19). God's justice often operates through natural consequences—sin carries inherent penalty. David's prayer asks God to let this natural justice run its course rather than allowing evil to prosper unpunished.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle of 'mischief of their own lips covering them' reflect God's justice that lets consequences naturally flow from choices?
- Is it appropriate for Christians to pray imprecatory prayers asking God to judge enemies, or should we only pray for their salvation (Matthew 5:44)?
- How does Jesus's warning 'with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you' (Matthew 7:2) both comfort victims and warn perpetrators of evil?
Analysis & Commentary
As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. David invokes poetic justice—requesting that enemies' own evil schemes rebound upon them. "As for the head of those that compass me about" (rosh mesibai, רֹאשׁ מְסִבָּי) uses rosh (רֹאשׁ, "head") possibly meaning
"Let the mischief of their own lips cover them" (amal sefatemo yekassemo, עֲמַל שְׂפָתֵימוֹ יְכַסֵּמוֹ) requests that enemies' verbal sins become their judgment. Amal (עָמָל, "mischief, trouble, harm") is evil produced through deliberate effort. Saphah (שָׂפָה, "lips") represents speech—the slander, lies, and false accusations mentioned in v. 3. Kasah (כָּסָה, "cover") suggests overwhelming, like floodwaters covering.
David asks that the very lies they spoke against him overwhelm them instead.
This imprecatory prayer reflects 'measure for measure' justice principle pervasive in Scripture (Exodus 21:23-25, Deuteronomy 19:18-21, Esther 7:10, Proverbs 26:27). It's not personal vendetta but appeal to divine justice: let the punishment fit the crime. Those who weaponized speech should suffer from their own weapon. Psalm 7:15-16 expresses similar principle: "He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head." Romans 2:5 warns that the unrepentant "treasurest up unto thyself wrath."