English Standard Version
Psalms 35:20
20For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit.
Psalms 35:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
- New International Version (NIV)They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful matters Against the quiet ones in the land.
- New Living Translation (NLT)They don’t talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.
Context of Psalms 35:20
18I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you. 19Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause. For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit. 21They open wide their mouths against me; they say, "Aha, Aha! Our eyes have seen it!" 22You have seen, O Lord; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me!
Read all of Psalms 35Psalms 35:20 word by word
כִּ֤י לֹ֥א שָׁל֗וֹם יְדַ֫בֵּ֥רוּ וְעַ֥ל רִגְעֵי־אֶ֑רֶץ דִּבְרֵ֥י מִ֝רְמוֹת יַחֲשֹׁבֽוּן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 35:20
- Psalms 120:5Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
- Psalms 31:13For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
- Psalms 36:3The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
- Psalms 38:12Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long.
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
- Psalms 64:4shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
- Psalms 140:2who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.
- Jeremiah 11:19But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more."
- Daniel 6:5Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God."
- Matthew 26:4and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.
- Acts 23:15Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
- Acts 25:3asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
- Matthew 12:19He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
- 1 Peter 2:22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
Commentaries on Psalms 35:20
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For they speak not peace - They seek a quarrel. They are unwilling to be on good terms with others, or to live in peace with them. The idea is that they were “disposed” or “inclined” to quarrel. Thus we speak now of persons who are “quarrelsome. They devise deceitful matters - literally, “they think of words of deceit.” That is, they set their hearts on misrepresentation, and they study such misrepresentations as occasions for strife with others. They…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-28Verses 17-28 Though the people of God are, and study to be, quiet, yet it has been common for their enemies to devise deceitful matters against them. David prays, My soul is in danger, Lord, rescue it; it belongs to thee the Father of spirits, therefore claim thine own; it is thine, save it! Lord, be not far from me, as if I were a stranger. He who exalted the once suffering Redeemer, will appear for all his people: the roaring lion shall not destroy…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-25In this prayer for justice, the psalmist faces a crisis so great that only the Lord can resolve it. The psalmist chooses the right path and believes that vengeance belongs to the Lord. God’s patience allows the wicked to continue in their evil ways. Because of this, their hearts grow harder and they find reasons to justify their behavior.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. deceitful matters--or, "words of deceit." quiet in the land--the pious lovers of peace.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 35:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 35
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries