The Hurtful Tongue

(James 3:1–12)

64 

64 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity,

3 who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

4 ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.

5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.

6 They devise injustice [and say], “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

7 But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.

8 They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.

9 Then all mankind will fear and proclaim the work of God; so they will ponder what He has done.

10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart exult.