Psalm 34:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 34:11-22

David, in this latter part of the psalm, undertakes to teach children. Though a man of war, and anointed to be king, he did not think it below him; though now he had his head so full of cares and his hands of business, yet he could find heart and time to give good counsel to young people, from his own experience. It does not appear that he had now any children of his own, at least any that were grown up to a capacity of being taught; but, by divine inspiration, he instructs the children of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 34:13

Keep thy tongue from evil ,.... This, and what follows in this verse and Psalm 34:14 , point at the things wherein the fear of God shows itself; and suggest, that those who have it, and which is known by these fruits, shall enjoy the desirable and good days before mentioned. The tongue is an instrument of much evil, an unruly member, and needs restraint; and it is from evil, and not from good, it is to be kept; from evil speaking of God, from cursing and swearing; from evil speaking of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 34:13

Verse 13 13.Keep thy tongue from evil The precept which David here delivers relates to a virtue which is very rare, namely, that we should be truthful and free from deceit in our discourse. Some, indeed, understand it in a much more extended sense, supposing that slander is condemned in this first clause. But it seems to me more simple, and more to the purpose, to understand this as of the same import with what he repeats in the second clause, that we should not speak deceitfully with our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:1-22

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:1-22

Life's experiences turned to manifold uses. £ There is no sufficient reason for severing this psalm from the detail of history to which its title refers; and it is much to be wished that its writer had uniformly turned his own experience to a use as wise as that which he here urges upon others. £ But David's pen might be golden, though sometimes his spirit was leaden; and we may study with great advantage the ideal of life which he sets before us, learning from his experience how we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:11-22

The second, didactic, part of the psalm here begins. The writer assumes the role of the teacher, and, addressing his readers as "sons," undertakes to "teach them the fear of the Lord" ( Psalms 34:11 ), or, in other words, to point out to them in what true religion consists. This he does in two remarkable verses ( Psalms 34:13 , Psalms 34:14 ); after which he proceeds, in the remainder of the psalm, to give reasons which may incline them to the practice of it ( Psalms 34:15-22 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:11-22

The secret and blessings of a happy life. "In this second part the psalmist turns to believers, addresses them, and says that it is his design to teach them the art of leading a happy and quiet life, and of being secure against enemies." I. THE SECRET OF A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL LIFE . 1 . The fear of God. ( Psalms 34:11 , Psalms 34:15 , Psalms 34:18 .) Childlike fear—compatible with trust and love. 2 . The government of the tongue. ( Psalms 34:13 .) What... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:13

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile . If the end be happiness, the means will be right moral conduct; and, first of all, right government of the tongue. Sins of the tongue are numerous, and abundantly noted in the Psalms ( Psalms 5:9 ; Psalms 10:7 ; Psalms 12:3 ; Psalms 15:3 ; Psalms 50:19 ; Psalms 57:4 ; Psalms 73:8 , Psalms 73:9 , etc.). They are more difficult to avoid than any others; they cling closer to us; they are scarcely ever wholly laid... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:13

Here are three great things. I. A GREAT GIFT . Speech is one of our highest endowments. It enables us to utter our thoughts and to converse one with another. Man's advancement in knowledge and virtue has mainly followed from his possessing this faculty. There have been many ingenious speculations as to how speech has been obtained, but it is enough for us to say that it is from God. When we see a dumb man, we may learn the worth from the want, and should bless God for his goodness in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:13

Keep thy tongue from evil - From speaking wrong things. Always give utterance to truth, and truth alone. The meaning is, that this is one of the methods of lengthening out life. To love the truth; to speak the truth; to avoid all falsehood, slander, and deceit, will contribute to this, or will be a means which will tend to prolong life, and to make it happy.And thy lips from speaking guile - Deceit. Do not “deceive” others by your words. Do not make any statements which are not true, or any... read more

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