Bible Strands
Psalms 139:20
who speak of You deceitfully; Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly in a prayer of personal examination, positioned between a plea for judgment against bloodthirsty men and a declaration of hatred toward those who oppose the Lord.
The words — The phrase נָשׂ֖א לַ/שָּׁ֣וְא (na.Su' la.Shav') literally renders "they lift up to falsehood," describing the elevation of empty or deceptive claims. The verb אֹמְרֻ֫ךָ (o.me.ru.kha) means "they speak of You" and directly modifies לִ/מְזִמָּ֑ה (li.m.zi.Mah), "to wickedness/deceit."
The thread — This charge against those who misuse God’s name parallels the prohibition in Exodus 20:7 against taking the Lord’s name in vain, and mirrors the psalmist’s later complaint in Psalm 74:18 regarding enemies mocking God and spurning His name.
Why it lands — The text identifies false speech about God as active hostility, requiring the reader to examine their own words for accuracy and to reject the temptation to weaponize divine identity for personal grievance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Cross-references
- Jude 1:15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”
- Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
- Psalms 74:18 Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- Psalms 73:8 They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
- Psalms 74:22 Rise up, O God; defend Your cause! Remember how the fool mocks You all day long.
- Isaiah 37:23 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!
- Isaiah 37:28 But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, and your raging against Me.
- Revelation 13:6 And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven.
- Job 21:14 Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.