Psalms 34:13

13 Forbid thy tongue from evil; and thy lips speak not guile (and do not let thy lips speak deceitfully).

Psalms 34:13 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:13

Keep thy tongue from evil
This, and what follows in this verse and ( Psalms 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 men, reproaching and reviling them; from filthy speaking, from all obscene and unchaste words, and from all lying ones; for where such evil speaking is indulged, the fear of God cannot be in that man;

and thy lips from speaking guile;
hypocritical and deceitful words, speaking with flattering lips and a double heart: some speak bad words in common conversation, through an evil habit and custom; and some speak good words with an ill design; and in neither of them is the fear of God before their eyes, nor in their hearts.

Psalms 34:13 In-Context

11 Come, ye sons, hear ye me; I shall teach you the dread of the Lord. (Come, ye sons and daughters, and listen ye to me; I shall teach you the fear of the Lord/I shall teach you to revere the Lord.)

12 Who is the man, that willeth life; that loveth to see good days? (Who is the person who desireth life? who loveth to see good days?)

13 Forbid thy tongue from evil; and thy lips speak not guile (and do not let thy lips speak deceitfully).

14 Turn thou away from evil, and do good; seek thou peace, and perfectly follow thou it.

15 The eyes of the Lord be on just men (The eyes of the Lord be on the righteous); and his ears be to their prayers.