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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 140:3 They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/140-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/19_Psa_140_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 140:3 - Rescue Me, O LORD, From Evil Men" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. 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Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/140.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/140.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/140.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison <i>is</i> under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/140.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps <i>is</i> under their lips. Selah</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/140.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like a snake; The venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/140.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/140.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/140.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of an asp is under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/140.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like a serpent’s; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/140.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They make their tongues as sharp as a snake’s bite; viper’s venom is under their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/140.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They make their tongues as sharp as a snake&#8217s bite; viper&#8217s venom is under their lips. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/140.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Adders' poison is under their lips. [Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/140.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Their words bite deep like the poisonous fangs of a snake. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/140.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/140.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They make their tongues as sharp as a snake's [fang]. Their lips hide the venom of poisonous snakes. [Selah]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/140.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Their tongues are like deadly snakes; their words are like a cobra's poison. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/140.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/140.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/140.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Their tongues wound like a serpent; a viper's venom is behind their lips. (Selah) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/140.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper's poison is under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/140.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adder's poison is under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/140.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. Viper’s poison is under their lips. Selah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/140.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, "" Poison of a viper [is] under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/140.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They sharpened their tongue as a serpent, Poison of an adder is under their lips. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/140.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They sharpened their tongue as a serpent; the poison of asps under their lips. Silence,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/140.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/140.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 139:4>They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent. The venom of asps is under their lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/140.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who sharpen their tongue like a serpent, venom of asps upon their lips. <i>Selah</i> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/140.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s, and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/140.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/140.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Who have sharpened their tongues like a snake and the venom of an asp is under their lips.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/140.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; Vipers' venom is under their lips. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/140.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They have sharpened their tongue as <i>the tongue</i> of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. Pause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/140-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=17409" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/140.htm">Rescue Me, O LORD, From Evil Men</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8150.htm" title="8150: šā·nă·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To whet, sharpen. A primitive root; to point; intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate.">They sharpen</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: lə·šō·w·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">their tongues</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: kə·mōw- (Prep) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so.">like</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: nā·ḥāš (N-ms) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">snakes;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2534.htm" title="2534: ḥă·maṯ (N-fsc) -- Heat, rage. Or chemac; from yacham; heat; figuratively, anger, poison.">the venom</a> <a href="/hebrew/5919.htm" title="5919: ‘aḵ·šūḇ (N-ms) -- Asp, viper. Probably from an unused root meaning to coil; an asp.">of vipers</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">is on</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄ā·ṯê·mōw (N-fdc:: 3mp) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">their lips.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5542.htm" title="5542: se·lāh (Interjection) -- To lift up, exalt. From calah; suspension, i.e. Pause.">Selah</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8</a></span><br />but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></span><br />Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3</a></span><br />“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Isaiah 59:3</a></span><br />For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Proverbs 15:4</a></span><br />A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Psalm 10:7</a></span><br />His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a></span><br />Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a></span><br />But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></span><br />My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts—with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.</p><p class="hdg">sharpened</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2,3</a></b></br> Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></b></br> My soul <i>is</i> among lions: <i>and</i> I lie <i>even among</i> them that are set on fire, <i>even</i> the sons of men, whose teeth <i>are</i> spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a></b></br> Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords <i>are</i> in their lips: for who, <i>say they</i>, doth hear?</p><p class="hdg">like a serpent</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-13.htm">Genesis 3:13</a></b></br> And the LORD God said unto the woman, What <i>is</i> this <i>that</i> thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Proverbs 23:32</a></b></br> At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a></b></br> O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.</p><p class="hdg">adders</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4</a></b></br> Their poison <i>is</i> like the poison of a serpent: <i>they are</i> like the deaf adder <i>that</i> stoppeth her ear;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13,14</a></b></br> Their throat <i>is</i> an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps <i>is</i> under their lips: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Adder</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Adders</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Adder's</a> <a href="/psalms/119-171.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/psalms/69-21.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/psalms/89-48.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/revelation/12-14.htm">Serpent's</a> <a href="/psalms/120-4.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/psalms/139-4.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/psalms/126-2.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Venom</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Viper</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm">Vipers</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Viper's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Adder</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Adders</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Adder's</a> <a href="/psalms/140-9.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-39.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/psalms/140-5.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Serpent's</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/psalms/140-11.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-17.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Venom</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Viper</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Vipers</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Viper's</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 140</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/140-1.htm">David prays to be delivered from Saul and Doeg</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/140-8.htm">He prays against them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/140-12.htm">He comforts himself by confidence in God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/140.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/140.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They sharpen their tongues like snakes;</b><br>This phrase uses the imagery of a snake to describe the malicious intent and deceitful speech of the wicked. In biblical times, snakes were often associated with danger and cunning, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a> with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The sharpening of tongues suggests a deliberate preparation to harm others through words, much like a weapon being honed for battle. This metaphor highlights the destructive power of speech, a theme echoed in <a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8</a>, where the tongue is described as "a restless evil, full of deadly poison." The comparison to snakes also evokes the idea of hidden threats, as snakes often strike unexpectedly, paralleling the deceitful nature of those who use their words to harm.<p><b>the venom of vipers is on their lips.</b><br>The mention of "venom" emphasizes the lethal potential of harmful words. Vipers, known for their deadly bite, serve as a powerful symbol of the toxic effects of slander and lies. In the ancient Near East, vipers were feared for their quick and often fatal strikes, making them an apt metaphor for the sudden and devastating impact of malicious speech. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references to the dangers of the tongue, such as <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a>, which states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." The venomous nature of their speech suggests not only the intent to harm but also the potential to cause lasting damage, both physically and spiritually.<p><b>Selah</b><br>The term "Selah" is often found in the Psalms and is thought to be a musical or liturgical marker, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or emphasis. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it serves to draw attention to the preceding statement, encouraging the reader or listener to contemplate the gravity of the words. In this context, "Selah" invites reflection on the destructive power of deceitful speech and the moral implications of using one's words to harm others. It serves as a moment to consider the broader biblical teachings on the importance of truthfulness and the consequences of sin, as well as to seek divine wisdom in guarding one's own speech.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David often wrote about his experiences with adversaries and his reliance on God for deliverance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_david.htm">Enemies of David</a></b><br>The psalm speaks to the malicious intent and deceitful speech of those who opposed David, often representing broader themes of evil and unrighteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/snakes_and_vipers.htm">Snakes and Vipers</a></b><br>Symbolic of deceit and danger, these creatures are used metaphorically to describe the harmful and poisonous nature of the enemies' words.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words can be as harmful as physical weapons. We must be mindful of how we speak to and about others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_speech.htm">Guarding Our Speech</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to speak truth and life, avoiding deceit and malice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_spiritual_warfare.htm">Recognizing Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The imagery of snakes and vipers reminds us of the spiritual battle we face, where words can be used by the enemy to sow discord and harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_protection.htm">Seeking God's Protection</a></b><br>Like David, we should seek God's protection and wisdom in dealing with those who use their words to harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ_in_our_speech.htm">Reflecting Christ in Our Speech</a></b><br>Our words should reflect the love and truth of Christ, serving as a testimony to our faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_140.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 140</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_snakes_venom_align_with_science.htm">How can the imagery of snakes and venom (verses 4-5) be reconciled with modern scientific understanding of reptile behavior?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_you_a_brood_of_vipers.htm">Why are you a brood of vipers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_paul_misquote_psalms_in_romans.htm">If the Bible is divinely inspired, why does Paul misquote the Old Testament (Romans 3:10-18 vs. Psalms)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_acts_28_3's_viper_bite_explained.htm">How do we reconcile the viper bite in Acts 28:3 with the claim that Malta has no venomous snakes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/140.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Comp. <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm" title="Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:">Psalm 64:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm" title="Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stops her ear;">Psalm 58:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/52-2.htm" title="The tongue devises mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.">Psalm 52:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm" title="His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.">Psalm 10:7</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Adders.--</span>The Hebrew word is peculiar to this place, and is explained by Gesenius to be a compound of two words, to represent "that which rolls itself up and lies in ambush." "Besides the cobra and the cerastes, several other species of venomous snakes are common in Syria, and we may apply the name, either generically or specifically, to the vipers. Two species, <span class= "ital">Vipera ammodytes </span>and <span class= "ital">Vipera euphratica, we </span>found to be very common. The former of these was known to Linnaeus as inhabiting Palestine. They are plainlycoloured serpents, with broad flat heads and suddenly-contracting tails" (Tristram, <span class= "ital">Nat. Hist. of the Bible, </span>p. 275). The LXX. and Vulg. read "asp." (Comp. <a href="/romans/3-13.htm" title="Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:">Romans 3:13</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/140.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Adders' poison is under their lips</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4</a>; <a href="/romans/3-15.htm">Romans 3:15</a>). The meaning is that their tongues inflict wounds which are as painful as poisoned wounds. The pause-sign, "selah," marks off the first stanza. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/140-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They make their tongues</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשׁוֹנָם֮</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šō·w·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as sharp</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁנֲנ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nă·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8150.htm">Strong's 8150: </a> </span><span class="str2">To point, to pierce, to inculcate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּֽמוֹ־</span> <span class="translit">(kə·mōw-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3644.htm">Strong's 3644: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like, as, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">serpents;</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֫חָ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḥāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> </span><span class="str2">A serpent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the venom</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·maṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2534.htm">Strong's 2534: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heat, anger, poison</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of vipers</span><br /><span class="heb">עַכְשׁ֑וּב</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḵ·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5919.htm">Strong's 5919: </a> </span><span class="str2">Asp, viper</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is on</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֖חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their lips.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפָתֵ֣ימוֹ</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄ā·ṯê·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Selah</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶֽלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(se·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm">Strong's 5542: </a> </span><span class="str2">Suspension, pause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/140-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 140:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 140:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/140-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 140:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 140:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>