Psalm 7 14

Psalm 7:14 kjv

Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

Psalm 7:14 nkjv

Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.

Psalm 7:14 niv

Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.

Psalm 7:14 esv

Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.

Psalm 7:14 nlt

The wicked conceive evil;
they are pregnant with trouble
and give birth to lies.

Psalm 7 verses

Psalm 7 14 Meaning

Psalm 7:14 vividly describes the wicked person's destructive progression from evil intention to its harmful manifestation. It uses a strong metaphor of conception and birth, illustrating how an individual harbors wicked thoughts and destructive schemes (iniquity), develops them into active oppression and suffering for others (mischief), and ultimately produces lies, deceit, and ruinous outcomes (falsehood), which often recoil upon them. The verse highlights the deliberate and organic process of sin emanating from the wicked heart.

Psalm 7 14 Context

Psalm 7 is a "Shiggaion of David," a type of psalm implying emotional distress and fervent appeal, specifically concerning "Cush, a Benjamite"—likely a figure associated with false accusations against David. The psalm serves as David's prayer of vindication, asserting his innocence before God (vv. 3-5) and appealing to God as the righteous Judge to deliver him from persecution and administer justice (vv. 6-9). David expresses his absolute trust in God's righteousness (vv. 10-11) and describes God's just preparations to act against the wicked (vv. 12-13). Verse 14 specifically portrays the internal process of the wicked's downfall, showing how their own malevolent intentions and actions ultimately culminate in their own ruin, providing the theological foundation for God's impending judgment mentioned previously. This context sets up a stark contrast between David's reliance on God's truth and the wicked's production of falsehood.

Psalm 7 14 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinnêh):

  • An emphatic interjection, meaning "Lo!", "See!", or "Indeed!".
  • Draws immediate and profound attention to the subsequent statement, signaling something important and certain to be revealed.
  • Adds dramatic weight, underscoring the undeniable nature of the wicked's self-destructive path.

• the wicked man (implied subject, from the verb form):

  • Refers to an individual (or type of person) characterized by consistent moral evil, injustice, and active opposition to God's righteousness or God's people.
  • Not merely a temporary state but a chosen and cultivated disposition of rebellion and harm.

• conceives (יְחַבֵּל - yeḥabēl & וְהָרָה - wᵉhārāh):

  • יְחַבֵּל (yeḥabēl): From the root chabal, primarily means "to damage, spoil, destroy," but in contexts of the womb, it also signifies "to travail," "to bring forth with pain," hence "to conceive with effort." This indicates the injurious nature of the "iniquity" being formed.
  • וְהָרָה (wᵉhārāh): Explicitly means "to be or become pregnant," "to conceive."
  • The use of two distinct verbs for conception emphasizes the deliberate, internal, and developing nature of the wicked's evil designs, nurtured within their minds and hearts, and hinting at the pain (for others) that such conception brings.

• iniquity (אָוֶן - 'āwen):

  • Refers to wickedness, trouble, harmfulness, or mischief, often associated with moral emptiness, vanity, and fraudulent conduct.
  • Represents the initial seed of evil thought, the perverse intention, or the destructive scheme first conceived.

• and gives birth to (וְיָלַד - wᵉyālad):

  • From the root yalad: "to bear," "to bring forth," "to beget."
  • Completes the birthing metaphor, indicating the outward manifestation and execution of the previously conceived evil. The internal design becomes an external action.

• mischief (עָמָל - ‘āmāl):

  • Signifies oppressive toil, painful labor, distress, trouble, or grievous activity, often implying injurious or exploitative actions against others.
  • It is the actual damage, suffering, or oppression that results from the "iniquity" that was conceived. It's the tangible harmful product.

• and produces (implied, using the same verb yalad as 'gives birth to'):

  • Literally, "and he brings forth" (šeqer - falsehood).
  • Extends the metaphor to a third distinct product or outcome of the wicked's progression.

• falsehood (שָׁקֶר - šeqer):

  • Refers to a lie, deception, fraud, or treachery. It encompasses anything that is untrue, dishonest, or misleading.
  • Highlights that deceit is a fundamental component and a final product of the wicked's modus operandi. Their actions and character are marked by what is inherently untrue, leading to emptiness or self-deception in the long run. This 'falsehood' can ultimately mean the emptiness of their efforts for themselves, i.e., their plans failing.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Behold, the wicked man conceives iniquity": This segment highlights the origin of evil—it doesn't just happen; it is actively harbored and carefully cultivated within the wicked heart or mind. The emphatic "Behold" draws immediate attention to this internal, deliberate process of moral corruption.
  • "and gives birth to mischief": This signifies the transition from inner thought to external action. The conceived evil doesn't remain hidden but progresses into tangible harmful deeds, causing suffering, trouble, or oppression in the world. It is the active expression of the initial wicked design.
  • "and produces falsehood": This third stage identifies the nature of the ultimate outcome or defining characteristic of the wicked's path. Their schemes are rooted in and result in deception, treachery, and an ultimate lack of truth or reality, often leading to their own self-entrapment or failure as their false foundations crumble.

Psalm 7 14 Bonus section

• The progression described—from 'āwen (iniquity, corrupt thought) to ‘āmāl (trouble/mischief, injurious action) to šeqer (falsehood, deception/futile outcome)—presents a logical and organic chain of sinful behavior. Each stage is a direct, yet amplified, consequence of the preceding one, demonstrating sin's pervasive and growing nature.
• This "birth metaphor" for sin is a common theme in wisdom literature, especially poignant in Job 15:35 and Isa 59:4, and finding its theological peak in James 1:14-15 which traces the same pathway of lust conceiving sin, and sin bringing forth death. This demonstrates a consistent biblical understanding across the Testaments regarding the internal progression and outward manifestation of evil.
• The use of vivid, physical imagery (conception, birth) makes the abstract nature of sin's development concrete and impactful, emphasizing the reality and gravity of its self-generated destruction. The emphasis on active "producing" means the wicked are personally responsible for the noxious products of their lives.

Psalm 7 14 Commentary

Psalm 7:14 uses a powerful tripartite birth metaphor to reveal the nature and progression of the wicked individual's sin. It posits that evil is not random but meticulously cultivated within the heart, much like conception and gestation. The process begins with "iniquity" (corrupt thought or intention), moves through the "birth" of active "mischief" (the oppressive acts resulting from those thoughts), and culminates in the "production of falsehood" (deception and eventual emptiness/ruin). This illustrates how sin has a natural, albeit destructive, lifecycle where evil plans generate hurtful actions, and the whole edifice is founded on deceit. This innate process underscores why God’s judgment is just, as the wicked essentially weave the net for their own feet; their destructive nature inevitably leads to their own destruction, embodying a form of retributive justice where the fruits of their evil rebound upon them.