BibleWord.ai› Bible› Psalms› Chapter 5› Verse 9

Psalms 5:9

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 5:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue.
Psalms 5:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Thou wilt destroy them that speak lies: Jehovah abhorreth the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
7But as for me, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: In thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; Make thy way straight before my face.
9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue.
10Hold them guilty, O God; Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions; For they have rebelled against thee.
11But let all those that take refuge in thee rejoice, Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12For thou wilt bless the righteous; O Jehovah, thou wilt compass him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 6 For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, set to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
← Psalms 5:8Psalms 5:10 →
← Full Chapter 5 Psalms Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For [there is] no faithfulness in their mouth, etc.] In the mouth of the ungodly, as the Chaldee paraphrase; in the mouth of every one of them, as Aben Ezra interprets it: that is, in the mouth of every wicked, bloody, and deceitful man; of everyone of David’s enemies, as Saul, or the conspirators with Absalom his son. There was no steadfastness in them; nothing right, sure, or firm said by them; nothing that could be depended upon; there was “no truth” in them, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it. And as this was true of David’s, so of Christ’s enemies; of Herod, and of the Herodians, and of the Scribes and Pharisees; (see <400208>Matthew 2:8 22:16);…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The wicked are not reliable because by nature they are full of wickedness, or literally, "wickednesses," of every kind (Rom 8:7). sepulchre--a dwelling-place of corruption, emitting moral putridness. flatter--or, "make smooth." their tongue--speaks deceitfully.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For there is no faithfulness in their mouth - There is nothing in them which can be confided in; nothing in their promises and declarations. They are false and treacherous, and I can, therefore, only appeal to thee. It is easy to see the propriety of this statement, and of those which follow, on the supposition that this refers to the rebellion of Absalom. Absalom had gone to Hebron on a false pretence 2 Samuel 15:7-10, and every act of his in this whole transaction had been treacherous and false. Their inward part - Not only their external conduct, but their hearts, their principles, their motives. This was fairly to be inferred from their conduct. The object of the psalmist is to show that…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Throat - Wide opened ready to devour all that come within their reach. A metaphor from wild beasts gaping for the prey. Psalms 5:10”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:9-10 The psalmist again describes the vile acts of the wicked, who cannot stand in God’s presence.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For: Psa 36:1-4, Psa 52:2, Psa 58:3, Psa 62:4, Psa 62:9, Psa 111:1-3; Jer 9:3-6; Mic 6:12; Rom 1:29-31; Rom 3:13 faithfulness: or, stedfastness their mouth: Heb. his mouth, that is, the mouth of any of them inward: Psa 51:6, Psa 58:2, Psa 62:4 \*marg. Psa 64:6; Jer 4:14, Jer 17:9; Mar 7:21, Mar 7:22; Luk 11:39 very wickedness: Heb. wickednesses throat: Luk 11:44; Rom 3:13 they: Psa 12:2, Psa 12:3; Job 32:21, Job 32:22; Pro 29:5; Th1 2:5 Psalms 5:10”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Psalms 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification