Psalms 34:13 - Exposition

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 aside. "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" ( James 3:2 ). The meek Moses "spake unadvisedly with his lips" ( Psalms 106:33 ). Job "darkened counsel by words without knowledge "( Job 38:2 ). St. Peter's words on one occasion drew upon him the rebuke, "Get thee behind me, Satan" ( Matthew 16:23 ).