Psalms 59:12
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
Original Language Analysis
חַטַּאת
For the sin
H2403
חַטַּאת
For the sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
1 of 9
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
פִּ֗ימוֹ
of their mouth
H6310
פִּ֗ימוֹ
of their mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
2 of 9
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
דְּֽבַר
and the words
H1697
דְּֽבַר
and the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 9
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
שְׂפָ֫תֵ֥ימוֹ
of their lips
H8193
שְׂפָ֫תֵ֥ימוֹ
of their lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
4 of 9
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
וְיִלָּכְד֥וּ
let them even be taken
H3920
וְיִלָּכְד֥וּ
let them even be taken
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
5 of 9
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
Cross References
Proverbs 12:13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.Psalms 10:7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.Proverbs 18:7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.Hosea 4:2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.Psalms 10:2The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Historical Context
Saul's verbal sins included false accusations against David and curses on his own son Jonathan for defending David (1 Samuel 20:30-33). These sins 'took' Saul in that they hardened his heart and hastened his demise.
Questions for Reflection
- How do verbal sins—cursing, lying, pride—function as self-imposed traps?
- What does being 'taken' in pride teach about sin's self-destructive nature?
Analysis & Commentary
The enemies' sin 'of their mouth' and 'words of their lips' emphasizes verbal transgression. Being 'taken in their pride' shows that arrogance precedes judgment (Proverbs 16:18). 'Cursing and lying' identifies specific sins warranting God's capture of them, fulfilled when Saul's lies and curses against David resulted in his own downfall.