Psalms 50:19

Authorized King James Version

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Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

Original Language Analysis

פִּ֭יךָ thy mouth H6310
פִּ֭יךָ thy mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 1 of 6
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
שָׁלַ֣חְתָּ Thou givest H7971
שָׁלַ֣חְתָּ Thou givest
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 2 of 6
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְרָעָ֑ה to evil H7451
בְרָעָ֑ה to evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 3 of 6
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
וּ֝לְשׁוֹנְךָ֗ and thy tongue H3956
וּ֝לְשׁוֹנְךָ֗ and thy tongue
Strong's: H3956
Word #: 4 of 6
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
תַּצְמִ֥יד frameth H6775
תַּצְמִ֥יד frameth
Strong's: H6775
Word #: 5 of 6
to link, i.e., gird; figuratively, to serve, (mentally) contrive
מִרְמָֽה׃ deceit H4820
מִרְמָֽה׃ deceit
Strong's: H4820
Word #: 6 of 6
fraud

Analysis & Commentary

Speech sins: 'Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.' The organ used to recite God's law is also used for evil speech and crafted deception. 'Frameth' suggests deliberate, skilled construction of lies. The same mouth 'takes the covenant' and 'frames deceit.'

Historical Context

Hebrew wisdom consistently identified the tongue as a key indicator of the heart's condition. James 3 develops this theme extensively, noting the tongue's power for blessing or cursing.

Questions for Reflection