Psalms 59:7

7 See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?”

Psalms 59:7 in Other Translations

7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips-- for "Who," they think,"will hear us?"

7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.

7 Then suddenly they're all at the gate, Snarling invective, drawn daggers in their teeth. They think they'll never get caught.

7 Look, they spew from their mouths- sharp words from their lips. "For who," [they say,] "will hear?"

Psalms 59:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 59:7

Behold, they belch out with their mouth
Bark like dogs, so Aben Ezra; or "bubble out" ^F21, as a fountain bubbles out with water; so they cast out their wickedness in great abundance; see ( Jeremiah 6:7 ) ; the phrase denotes the abundance of evil things and wicked speeches that came out of their mouths, which showed the naughtiness of their hearts; so David's enemies blustered and threatened what they would do to him could they find him; and Christ's enemies poured out their wicked charges of blasphemy and sedition against him, in great plenty, and without proof;

swords [are] in their lips;
the words of their lips were like sharp swords; see ( Psalms 55:21 ) ( 57:4 ) ; threatening the most severe and cruel things: or, besides their lips, and what they belched out with their mouths, they took swords in their hands in a literal sense; as Saul's messengers did to kill David, and as Judas and his band of men, who came to take Christ as a thief, with swords and staves, ( Matthew 26:55 ) ;

for who, [say they], doth hear?
what they uttered with their mouths and lips, in a blustering and threatening manner; though they were overheard by men, who carried what they said and designed to do to Michal, David's wife. The meaning may be, they would say what they pleased, and did not care who heard them, having nothing to fear from any, they having their orders from the king; see ( Psalms 12:4 ) ; and so the Targum,

``behold they belch out with their mouths words which are sharp as swords, and with their lips saying, we shall prevail; for who is he that hears, and can punish?''

Aben Ezra's note is,

``they thought that God did not hear their counsels;''

and therefore the next words are in direct opposition to them; but so to think is monstrous stupidity and brutishness, ( Psalms 94:4-9 ) ; some take the words to be the words of David, complaining that the civil magistrate, none of the judges, took notice of or punished such who belched out their lies and calumnies against him, saying, "for who doth hear?" no man.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (Nweyby) "scaturient", Montanus; "copiose eructant", Gejerus.

Psalms 59:7 In-Context

5 You, LORD God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.

6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

7 See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?”

8 But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations.

9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 94:4; Proverbs 10:32; Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 15:2,28
• 2. S Psalms 55:21; Psalms 57:4
• 3. S Job 22:13; Psalms 10:11