Psalms 34:13Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~1000 BC. David gives practical instruction after asking who wants a good life. Having ruled over thousands and dealt with court intrigue, he knows words can destroy kingdoms and relationships faster than swords.
The emotion here: urgent warning from someone who learned this lesson the hard way
The original word
lashon (לָשׁוֹן) — literally the physical tongue, but meaning all speech and communication
Why it matters
David himself struggled with deception - he lied to Ahimelech the priest and pretended insanity before King Achish
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 34:13
David is teaching from his own failures - he knows the damage that dishonest words can cause
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about big lies, but David includes all harmful speech - gossip, exaggeration, harsh words said in anger, even 'white lies' that seem harmless.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 34:13
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 34:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 34:13 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include speech, integrity, wisdom. Notable phrases: Keep your tongue from evil; lips from speaking lies. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Psalms 34:13 mean to you, today?
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