"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
Proverbs 21:23
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue.”
The one who “keepeth,” is the one who is “guarding” his mouth and his tongue. This person is cautious with what he says. He is intentional with his words. He understands the power of the language that his words can heal or destroy others.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).
He is quick to ask the LORD for help with words. He knows how important it is to guard his lips.
“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
The one who guards his mouth realizes that his words come from his heart and so his heart must be guarded at all costs.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).
“He guardeth his mouth who does not speak when he does better to be silent, and he guardeth his tongue, who says no more than is right and fitting.”1
“Keepeth, his soul from troubles.”
There is so much potential for trouble with the mouth, but learning to speak as God directs us to is also a great blessing to our own souls. He doesn’t just command us to stop talking badly, but He shows us that we are helping ourselves by speaking as He says. We are keeping out of trouble.
“A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:2-3).
“Who is the man that wishes to enjoy a quiet and peaceable life? Let him set a guard over his mouth, and refrain his tongue from profaneness and corrupt communication, from railing and reviling, and all evil speaking, from foolish talking, and from inconvenient jesting”2 (Lawson).
When it comes to the words of our mouths, the LORD is clear that He wants us in control of what we say. With His help, we can speak well.
1. Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
2. The Biblical Illustrator, the electronic version in eSword. George Lawson’s notes.