3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

Other Translations of Psalm 140:3

New International Version

3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.

English Standard Version

3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

The Message

3 They practice the sharp rhetoric of hate and hurt, speak venomous words that maim and kill.

New King James Version

3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah

New Living Translation

3 Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Interlude

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 140:3

Commentary on Psalm 140:1-7

(Read Psalm 140:1-7)

The more danger appears, the more earnest we should be in prayer to God. All are safe whom the Lord protects. If he be for us, who can be against us? We should especially watch and pray, that the Lord would hold up our goings in his ways, that our footsteps slip not. God is as able to keep his people from secret fraud as from open force; and the experience we have had of his power and care, in dangers of one kind, may encourage us to depend upon him in other dangers.