Psalms 50:19
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Psalms 50:19
Verse 19 says, “Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.” This line exposes a pattern: what comes out of the mouth reveals the heart. The person speaks evil, crafts deceit, and uses language as a tool for harm. In a culture where speech carried weight in community life and justice, this behavior corrodes trust and integrity. The verse fits the larger psalm’s critique of hollow religious practice that is accompanied by harmful speech and conduct. It’s a call to examine the power of words as instruments either of life or destruction.
Themes:
- The moral weight of speech in godly living.
- Deceptive speech as a violation of covenant love.
- The need for truthfulness and integrity as expressions of righteousness.
This aligns with biblical teaching on the tongue (James 3; Ephesians 4:25). God values truthful speech that aligns with His character.
Practical steps:
- Monitor your words: replace manipulative or deceitful speech with honesty.
- Use language for blessing: speak well of others, even when correcting.
- Practice truth-telling in small things to build trust for bigger matters.
- Seek restorative conversations when you’ve spoken harm.
Cross-References: Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:25; James 3:5-6; Colossians 3:9; Psalm 15:1-3