Psalm 59 7

Psalm 59:7 kjv

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

Psalm 59:7 nkjv

Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, "Who hears?"

Psalm 59:7 niv

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

Psalm 59:7 esv

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

Psalm 59:7 nlt

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

Psalm 59 verses

Psalm 59 7 Meaning

Psalm 59:7 powerfully portrays the audacious and destructive speech of David's enemies. They spew forth harmful, venomous words from their mouths, as though "belching out" or gushing forth malice. These words are likened to "swords" resting on their lips, signifying their sharp, cutting, and murderous intent. Their ultimate blasphemy and self-assurance stem from the cynical belief that God is either absent, deaf, or indifferent to their wicked actions, boldly asking, "who doth hear?"

Psalm 59 7 Context

Psalm 59 is a fervent prayer of David, specifically linked by its superscription to the time when King Saul dispatched men to surround David's house, seeking to kill him (1 Sam 19:11-17). David, isolated and in mortal peril, likens his enemies to ravenous, howling dogs prowling the city (Psa 59:6, 14), ready to devour him. Within this immediate context of physical danger and encirclement, verse 7 reveals the even deeper spiritual and psychological torment inflicted by their malicious words. Their speech is not just idle gossip; it carries the intent of accusation, slander, and scorn, particularly directed against God's assumed ignorance or inaction, thus justifying their evil deeds in their own minds. This demonstrates the enemies' moral depravity, believing themselves free from divine judgment or accountability.

Psalm 59 7 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinnêh): An imperative particle, serving as an interjection to draw attention. It introduces a startling or significant revelation, emphasizing the shocking nature of the enemies' actions and words. It’s a call to observe the reality of their malice.
• they belch out (יַבִּיעוּ - yabbîʿû): From the root "בּוּעַ" (buaʿ), meaning "to bubble up," "to gush forth." In the Hiphil stem (causative), it implies an outpouring or emission. It denotes speech that is unrestrained, repulsive, and spontaneously flows from inner corruption, like belching is an uncontrolled bodily function. It suggests a lack of inhibition or moral restraint.
• with their mouth (בְּפִיהֶם - bəpîhem): "With" or "in their mouth." Directly identifies the organ of speech, emphasizing that their verbal venom is expressed openly and without shame. It underscores the intentionality and directness of their malicious communication.
• swords (חֲרָבוֹת - ḥǎrāḇôṯ): Plural of "חֶרֶב" (ḥereb), literally meaning "sword" or "knife." A powerful metaphor illustrating the cutting, piercing, and destructive nature of their words. These are not merely insults but words intended to inflict spiritual, reputational, or even physical harm.
• are in their lips (בְּשִׂפְתוֹתֵיהֶם - bəśiḡptôtêhem): "In their lips." Parallel to "with their mouth," but perhaps emphasizing the very instrument of articulation. The words are right there, ready for attack, implying an ever-present threat. It conveys readiness for battle.
• for (כִּי - kî): A conjunction, meaning "for," "because," or "indeed." It introduces the reason or explanation for their outrageous speech: their contemptuous view of God's oversight.
• who (מִי - mî): An interrogative pronoun, meaning "who?" Expresses a rhetorical question filled with cynicism and scorn, presuming a negative answer.
• doth hear? (שֹׁמֵעַ - šōmêaʿ): Qal active participle of "שָׁמַע" (šāmaʿ), "to hear," "to listen," "to understand," "to obey." In this context, it challenges God's omniscience and divine intervention. They scoff at the idea that any higher power is paying attention to their deeds.

Words-group Analysis

• "Behold, they belch out with their mouth": This opening vividly depicts the immediate and repulsive nature of their verbal assault. The verb "belch out" conveys an involuntary, crude, and disgusting expulsion, implying that their evil words flow without filter from a corrupt heart. This contrasts sharply with righteous speech that flows from a heart full of goodness.
• "swords are in their lips": This phrase immediately transforms their words into deadly weapons. It's a striking military metaphor. Their speech isn't just critical; it's designed to wound, betray, slander, and kill reputation or spirit. The location "in their lips" signifies an ever-present, ready weapon, implying that every utterance carries potential harm.
• "for who, say they, doth hear?": This final part reveals the core motivation behind their boldness and malice: a practical atheism or a denial of divine accountability. They act with impunity because they presume God is deaf, blind, or indifferent to human affairs. This is not a question of genuine inquiry, but a rhetorical sneer born of arrogance, challenging the very attributes of God – His omniscience and justice. It underpins all their wickedness, suggesting they believe their actions are unseen and unpunished.

Psalm 59 7 Bonus section

The "who doth hear?" rhetorical question posed by the enemies can be seen as a core theological error often found in those who rebel against God. It signifies a profound lack of the fear of the LORD (Psa 36:1, Rom 3:18). This verse stands as a powerful reminder for believers to avoid such cynical skepticism and to live in the conscious awareness of God's omnipresence and perfect knowledge. David's ultimate appeal throughout this Psalm, to God who does hear and will judge, directly refutes the enemies' blasphemous assumption, anticipating divine justice. The prophetic aspect lies in God indeed proving that He hears and sees, overturning their arrogant disbelief through His intervention and judgment (Psa 59:8, 11).

Psalm 59 7 Commentary

Psalm 59:7 paints a stark picture of the enemy's character, focusing intensely on the venom of their words. David's persecutors are not merely a physical threat, but a spiritual one, launching verbal assaults characterized by their spontaneity, malicious intent, and foundation in practical atheism. The imagery of "belching out" captures the unfiltered, offensive, and voluminous nature of their speech, indicating a deeply ingrained corruption from which vile words naturally erupt. Their words are not merely casual, but are "swords"—sharp, penetrating, and aimed to injure, whether through false accusations, threats, or mocking defiance. The crux of their depravity is encapsulated in their sneering question, "Who doth hear?", a direct challenge to God's omniscience and righteous governance. They operate under the delusion that their evil actions and words escape divine notice or judgment. This verse underscores the biblical principle that words are not neutral; they are powerful tools, reflecting the heart and capable of great destruction. It highlights the perilous mindset of those who disregard God's watchful eye, falsely assuming impunity in their wickedness.