What is the context?
The speaker asks rescue from people who plan evil, stir conflict, and lay snares. Snake-like tongues and venomous lips make speech part of their violence.
He turns to God as strength and protection in battle. The plea asks that the wicked plans not be allowed to prosper.
The language links words and harm rather than treating slander as harmless sound. It does not give a biological description of human mouths.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley reads the sharpened tongues through piercing speech. His explanation should not be made into a zoological claim that a snake’s tongue itself administers venom.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Romans 3:9–20 explicitly uses the venom-under-lips line within its scriptural account of sin. Paul’s argument concerns both Jews and Gentiles under sin, leading to the need for God’s righteousness through Christ. The quotation therefore does not let the reader reserve every indictment only for a disliked group.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.
Where can I study this further?
No deeper study linked yet.