Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them. New Living Translation Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me. English Standard Version As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! Berean Standard Bible May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused. King James Bible As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. New King James Version “As for the head of those who surround me, Let the evil of their lips cover them; New American Standard Bible “As for the head of those who surround me, May the harm of their lips cover them. NASB 1995 “As for the head of those who surround me, May the mischief of their lips cover them. NASB 1977 “As for the head of those who surround me, May the mischief of their lips cover them. Legacy Standard Bible “As for the head of those who surround me, May the trouble from their lips cover them. Amplified Bible “Those who surround me raise their heads; May the mischief of their own lips come upon them. Christian Standard Bible When those who surround me rise up, may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them. Holman Christian Standard Bible When those who surround me rise up, may the trouble their lips cause overwhelm them. American Standard Version As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Contemporary English Version They have me surrounded, but make them the victims of their own vicious lies. English Revised Version As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. GOD'S WORD® Translation Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with their own threats. Good News Translation Don't let my enemies be victorious; make their threats against me fall back on them. International Standard Version May those who surround me discover that the trouble they talk about falls on their own head! Majority Standard Bible May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused. NET Bible As for the heads of those who surround me--may the harm done by their lips overwhelm them! New Heart English Bible As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Webster's Bible Translation As for the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. World English Bible As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe chief of my surrounders, "" The perverseness of their lips covers them. Young's Literal Translation The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them. Smith's Literal Translation The head of those surrounding me, the labor of their lips shall cover them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Those who surround me raise their heads; may the mischief they threaten overwhelm them. New Revised Standard Version Those who surround me lift up their heads; let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLet the mischief of their own lips cover them. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The evil of their lips will cover them. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Brenton Septuagint Translation As for the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Rescue Me, O LORD, From Evil Men…8Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not promote their evil plans, lest they be exalted. Selah 9May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused. 10May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.… Cross References Proverbs 26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. Psalm 7:15-16 He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head. Psalm 35:8 May ruin befall them by surprise; may the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into the hazard they created. Psalm 57:6 They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah Psalm 141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety. Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires. Proverbs 28:10 He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good. Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided. Daniel 6:24 At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Matthew 7:2 For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. Revelation 13:10 “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Treasury of Scripture As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. let the mischief Psalm 7:16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. Psalm 64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. Psalm 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. Jump to Previous Caused Chief Compass Cover Covered Covereth Encompass Evil Head Heads Lips Mischief Overwhelm Perverseness Round Surround Surrounders TroubleJump to Next Caused Chief Compass Cover Covered Covereth Encompass Evil Head Heads Lips Mischief Overwhelm Perverseness Round Surround Surrounders TroublePsalm 140 1. David prays to be delivered from Saul and Doeg8. He prays against them 12. He comforts himself by confidence in God May the heads of those who surround me This phrase reflects a plea for divine justice against adversaries. In biblical times, the "head" often symbolized leadership or authority, and calling for something to happen to one's head could imply a desire for judgment or retribution. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, frequently faced enemies who sought his harm, as seen in 1 Samuel 23:26-28 when Saul pursued David. The imagery of being "surrounded" suggests a situation of imminent danger, akin to David's experiences when he was encircled by foes. This plea can be seen as a call for God to intervene against those who unjustly attack the righteous. be covered in the trouble their lips have caused Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David is expressing a plea for protection and justice against his enemies. 2. Enemies The unspecified adversaries who are causing trouble for David through their words and actions. 3. God The ultimate judge and protector whom David is appealing to for deliverance and justice. 4. Israel The nation of which David is king, often facing threats from surrounding nations and internal strife. 5. Trouble The consequences or calamities that David wishes upon his enemies as a result of their malicious words. Teaching Points The Power of WordsWords can cause significant harm and trouble. As believers, we must be mindful of our speech, ensuring it aligns with God's truth and love. Divine Justice Trust in God's justice. While we may desire immediate retribution, God’s timing and methods are perfect. Prayer for Protection Like David, we should turn to God in prayer when facing adversaries, trusting Him to protect and vindicate us. Self-Reflection Consider whether our own words might be causing trouble for others. Seek repentance and strive to speak life and encouragement. God's Sovereignty Remember that God is in control, and He will ultimately deal with those who oppose His people.(9) Head.--Ewald, who keeps to the text, takes rosh in the sense of poison (see Psalm 69:22, Note):-- "The poison of those encircling me, Let them be covered with the perdition of their lips. This brings Psalm 140:8-9 into harmony with Psalm 140:4. But the emendation given above is better. Verse 9 - As for the head of those that compass me about. The "head" of David's enemies is put in contrast with his own "head" (see ver. 7). While God shields and protects his head, theirs has no protection, but the mischief of their own lips which covers them, but with confusion, rather than with defense or safety.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew May the headsרֹ֥אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head of those who surround me מְסִבָּ֑י (mə·sib·bāy) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 4524: That which surrounds or is round be covered יְכַסֵּֽמוֹ׃ (yə·ḵas·sê·mōw) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover in the trouble עֲמַ֖ל (‘ă·mal) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind their lips have caused. שְׂפָתֵ֣ימוֹ (śə·p̄ā·ṯê·mōw) Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin Links Psalm 140:9 NIVPsalm 140:9 NLT Psalm 140:9 ESV Psalm 140:9 NASB Psalm 140:9 KJV Psalm 140:9 BibleApps.com Psalm 140:9 Biblia Paralela Psalm 140:9 Chinese Bible Psalm 140:9 French Bible Psalm 140:9 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 140:9 As for the head of those who (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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