Psalms 140:9
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
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.
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
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 the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.
- KJV
- As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
- WEB
- As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
- ASV
- As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
- DARBY
- [As for] the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
- BLB
- the poison of those surrounding me, the trouble of their lips, let it cover them!
- ÅB
- Over deres hoder som omgir meg, skal den ulykke komme som deres lepper volder.
- OTB
- Når det gjelder dem som omgir meg,
Måtte deres egne ord skade dem. - B1930
- Over deres hoder som omgir mig, skal den ulykke komme som deres leber volder.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 7:16
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Read in contextProverbs 18:7
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Read in contextPsalms 94:23
And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
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 contextProverbs 10:11
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Read in contextProverbs 10:6
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Read in contextEsther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
Read in contextPsalms 64:8
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
Read in context