Psalms 140:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist prays that wickedness and violence will not gain a foothold but will ultimately be pursued and overthrown.
The Context of Psalms 140:11
A prayer that wickedness will not establish itself but will instead be pursued and defeated.
What Does Psalms 140:11 Mean?
The prayer calls for the uprooting of 'an evil speaker'—those who use words to cause harm—from the earth. To 'be established' means to gain power, security, or influence. The psalmist prays that God will not allow the wicked to gain such footing. Instead of evil flourishing, the verse declares a reversal: 'evil shall hunt the violent man.'
This reflects a prayer for moral order: that wickedness will not prosper unchecked. The image of evil hunting the violent man is poetic justice—the violence they have sown comes back upon them. The prayer trusts in a divine ordering where those who live by violence and lies ultimately face the consequences of their own choices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 140:11
What does Psalms 140:11 mean?
The psalmist prays that wickedness and violence will not gain a foothold but will ultimately be pursued and overthrown.
What is the context of Psalms 140:11?
A prayer that wickedness will not establish itself but will instead be pursued and defeated.