Psalms 140 · Verse 9

Psalms 140:9

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
Psalms 140:9, King James Version

Psalms 140:9 in other translations

BSBMay the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.
WEBAs for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
ASVAs for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
YLTThe chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them.
DARBYAs for the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.
BBEAs for those who come round me, let their heads be covered by the evil of their lips.
WebsterAs for the head of those that encompass me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

What does Psalms 140:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. Contrasts his head covered by God (Psa 140:7) with theirs, or (as "head" may be used for "persons") with them, covered with the results of their wicked deeds (Psa 7:16).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 140:8-13

Believers may pray that God would not grant the desires of the wicked, nor further their evil devices. False accusers will bring mischief upon themselves, even the burning coals of Divine vengeance. And surely the righteous shall dwell in God's presence, and give him thanks for evermore. This is true thanksgiving, even thanks-living: this use we should make of all our deliverances, we should serve God the more…

Read the full comment on Psalms 140:8-13 →

Psalms 140:9 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

רֹ֥אשׁrosh[the] head ofH7218
מְסִבָּ֑יme.si.Baisurroundings myH4524
עֲמַ֖ל'a.Mal[the] mischief ofH5999
שְׂפָתֵ֣ימוֹse.fa.Tei.movlips theirH8193
יְכַסֵּֽמוֹ\׃ye.kha.su.movmay it cover themH3680

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 140:9

  • Psalms 7:16

    His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

  • Proverbs 18:7

    A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

  • Psalms 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.

  • Proverbs 12:13

    The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

  • Proverbs 10:11

    The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

  • Proverbs 10:6

    Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

  • Esther 7:10

    So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.

  • Psalms 64:8

    So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

  • Esther 5:14

    Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

  • Matthew 27:25

    Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
let the mischief.
7:16; 64:8; 94:23; Es 5:14; 7:10; Pr 10:6,11; 12:13; 18:7; Mt 27:25

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 140:8

    Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

  • Psalms 140:9

    As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.

  • Psalms 140:10

    Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

Read all of Psalms 140

Psalms 140:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En cuanto á los que por todas partes me rodean, la maldad de sus propios labios cubrirá su cabeza.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		N’accorde pas, ô Éternel! les souhaits du méchant, ne fais pas réussir son dessein: ils s’élèveraient. Sélah.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Die Häupter derer, die mich umringen, das Unheil ihrer Lippen bedecke sie!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Custodi me a laqueo quem statuerunt mihi, et a scandalis operantium iniquitatem.