Psalms 140:11
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
10 Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence.
- KJV
- Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
- WEB
- An evil speaker won’t be established on the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
- ASV
- An evil speaker shall not be established in the earth: Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
- DARBY
- Let not the man of [evil] tongue be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the man of violence to [his] ruin.
- BLB
- A man of tongues, do not let him be established in the earth; a man of violence, may evil hunt him to overflowing!
- ÅB
- En munnkspiste mann skal ikke bli stående i landet; den mann som gjør ugudelig vold, ham skal han jage med slag på slag.
- OTB
- Måtte en baktaler ikke holde ut på jorden;
Måtte ondskap forfølge en voldelig mann til hans undergang. - B1930
- En munnkåt mann skal ikke bli stående i landet; den mann som gjør ugudelig vold, ham skal han jage med slag på slag.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 34:21
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
Read in contextProverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Read in contextIsaiah 3:11
Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
Read in contextProverbs 13:21
Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
Read in contextProverbs 17:20
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Read in contextPsalms 7:14–16
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
Read in contextPsalms 9:16
The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
Read in contextProverbs 12:13
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
Read in context