The psalmist provides the first practical teaching: "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." The focus emphasizes that speech is the primary concern: one who desires flourishing must control the instruments of speech. The instruction to keep the tongue from evil suggests control is not external suppression but redirection. The reference to deceit suggests that lies and deception are particular evils of speech. The verse establishes that flourishing begins with control of the mouth.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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