Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
Ver. 18. Let the lying lips be put to silence] Heb. the lips of a lie, mendaciorum artifices, as Jeremiah 9:3; Jeremiah 9:5. Among the Persians it was αιχιστον το φευδεσθαι, held a base shame to tell a lie. Oh that it were so among Christians! When shall that golden age return, that the argument may again proceed, Sacerdos est, non fallet; Christianus est, non mentietur; He is a minister, he will not deceive; he is a Christian, therefore he will not lie? (Herod. in Clio; Xenoph. Cyroep.; Strab. lib. 15).
Which speak grievous things] Heb. a hard thing; dura et atr ociaverba, durable and longlasting reproaches, such as stick, and leave a scar, though the wound be healed up. Calumniare audacter, aliquid saltem adhaerebit. Such mouths shall one day smoke for it, Judges 1:15 .
Proudly and contemptuously] Heb. In pride and contempt. It is pride that causeth contempt of others. Compare Proverbs 3:34 1 Peter 5:5. David elsewhere complaineth of proud, rhetorical mockers.