The book of Psalms is a collection of ancient Hebrew poetry that has been treasured by both Jews and Christians for thousands of years.
Among its many themes, the book of Psalms provides wisdom and guidance for dealing with the destructive effects of gossip and slander.
Psalms To Stop Gossip And Slander
Through a careful reading of these ancient texts, we can gain new insights into the human experience and discover practical wisdom for dealing with the challenges of life in a complex and often confusing world.
So, whether you are dealing with gossip and slander in your own life, or seeking to offer comfort and support to others who are struggling with these issues, the Psalms offer a rich source of inspiration and guidance for navigating the complexities of human relationships.
Psalm 12:2-3 (ESV) – Live Peacefully With Your Neighbors
“Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.”
Psalm 31:13-15 (ESV) – Trust In The Lord
“For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.”
Psalm 34:11-14 (ESV) – Listen to The Word Of The Lord
“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 50:19-21 (ESV) – Be Mindful Of Your Thought
“You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son. When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.”
Psalm 52:2-4 (ESV) – Strive Hard To Do Good
“You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!”
Psalm 56:5-7 (ESV) – God Has Power Over Everything
“All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life. Because of their wickedness do not let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.”
Psalm 101:5-7 (ESV) – The Ungodly Will Not Stand In The Presence Of God
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”
Psalm 120:2-4 (ESV) – God Is Able To Save Us
“Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.”
Psalm 140:1-3 (ESV) – God Will Protect Us
“Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent, who devise ways to trip my feet.”
Psalm 141:3-4 (ESV) – The Lord Watches Over Us
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.”
Psalm 142:3-4 (ESV)
“When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.”
Psalm 144:7-8 (ESV)
“Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.”
Psalm 145:18-21 (ESV)
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.”
Psalm 146:6-9 (ESV)
“He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
Psalm 147:1-6 (ESV)
“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
Psalm 148:7-13 (ESV)
“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children.”
Psalm 149:4-5 (ESV)
“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.”
Psalm 150:6 (ESV)
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
What Does The Bible Say About Gossip And Slander?
The Bible has much to say about gossip and slander, which are both forms of harmful speech that can cause great damage to relationships, reputations, and communities.
In (Proverbs 11:13, NIV) “a gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret” and (Proverbs 16:28, NIV) “a perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends” These verses make it clear that gossip is not only hurtful to individuals but can also be divisive and destructive to communities.
Similarly, the New Testament warns against slander, which is the intentional spreading of false information in order to harm someone’s reputation. In (1 Peter 2:1) believers are urged to “rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” Likewise, in (James 4:11-12) believers are told not to speak evil against one another, for “there is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
The Bible makes it clear that gossip and slander are sinful behaviors that are harmful to both the speaker and the listener. In (Proverbs 18:8) we read that “the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
This means that gossip can be tempting to listen to, but it ultimately leads to bitterness, conflict, and distrust. In (James 3:6) we read that “the tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” These strong words emphasize the serious nature of harmful speech and the need for believers to guard their tongues.
Instead of gossip and slander, the Bible encourages believers to use their words to build up others and promote unity. In (Ephesians 4:29) we read that believers should “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Similarly, in Colossians 4:6, believers are urged to “let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” By speaking with kindness, compassion, and wisdom, believers can honor God and promote peace in their relationships and communities.
Finally, the Bible is clear that gossip and slander are sinful behaviors that are harmful to individuals and communities.
Believers are called to guard their tongues, speak with wisdom and kindness, and use their words to build up others and promote unity. By following these principles, believers can honor God and contribute to the well-being of those around them.
Conclusion
The book of Psalms offers a rich resource for dealing with the harmful effects of gossip and slander. Its wisdom is still relevant today, providing guidance for individuals and communities facing the same issues as those who wrote the Psalms thousands of years ago.
The Psalms remind us that words have the power to harm or heal, to lift up or tear down. They call us to be mindful of our own speech and to use our words wisely and with compassion.
When we are the targets of gossip and slander, the Psalms offer comfort and hope, reminding us that we are not alone and that there is a higher power that can protect us from harm.
Ultimately, the Psalms teach us that our words have the power to shape our relationships with others and with God.
By turning to this ancient wisdom, we can learn to use our words in ways that build up rather than tear down, bringing peace, healing, and wholeness to our lives and the lives of those around us.
