Psalm 73 8

Psalm 73:8 kjv

They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

Psalm 73:8 nkjv

They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily.

Psalm 73:8 niv

They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

Psalm 73:8 esv

They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.

Psalm 73:8 nlt

They scoff and speak only evil;
in their pride they seek to crush others.

Psalm 73 verses

Psalm 73 8 Meaning

This verse describes the characteristic behavior of the wicked individuals who troubled the Psalmist Asaph. It highlights their disdainful and malevolent speech. They express mockery and utter words saturated with evil intentions, showcasing a deep-seated contempt. The latter part of the verse, "from on high they threaten oppression," conveys their extreme arrogance and perceived authority. Their words emanate from a place of self-exaltation or worldly power, asserting a dominion that often aims to inflict or declare injustice and exploitation upon others, possibly even daring to challenge the divine.

Psalm 73 8 Context

Psalm 73 belongs to the Psalms of Asaph, a chief musician and prophet. The Psalm begins with Asaph's deep spiritual struggle and near loss of faith (v. 2). He recounts being perplexed and envious of the wicked who appeared to prosper without struggle (vv. 3-5), living lives of pride and violence (vv. 6-7). Verse 8 continues Asaph's observation of these wicked individuals, specifically detailing the nature of their public declarations. Their outward display of ease and arrogance (as described in preceding verses) fuels their verbal audacity and malevolence. Their prosperity leads them to believe they are untouchable, empowering them to openly mock, utter evil, and dictate oppression. This defiance is further amplified in verse 9, where their mouth is set "against the heavens." The crisis of faith experienced by Asaph eventually resolves when he enters the sanctuary of God (v. 17) and grasps the swift and sudden end that awaits the wicked, realizing God's just sovereignty.

Psalm 73 8 Word analysis

• They scoff (יַעֲלִ֥יצוּ, yaʿalitzu from עָלַץ, 'alats):

  • The root ʿalats often means to rejoice or exult. Here, in context of the wicked, it indicates a malevolent joy, a derisive or scornful exultation, highlighting a malicious pleasure derived from mocking or ridiculing others or righteous principles. It implies contempt and triumphant disdain.

• and speak (יְדַבְּר֨וּ, y'dabberu from דָּבַר, dabar):

  • A standard Hebrew verb meaning "to speak" or "to talk." Its inclusion here signifies that their scoffing is not merely an internal attitude but an outward, verbal expression, emphasizing their open and deliberate communication.

• with malice (בְּרָע, b'raʿ from רָע, raʿ):

  • The word raʿ refers to evil, wickedness, or harm. b'raʿ means "in evil" or "with evil." It describes the quality and content of their speech: it is rooted in wickedness, aiming to inflict harm or promote evil. This could manifest as slander, deceit, unjust pronouncements, or words born of a corrupt heart.

• from on high (מִמָּר֨וֹם, mi-marom from מָרֹום, marom):

  • marom means "height" or "high place." The prefix mi- means "from." This is a profoundly significant phrase with several layers of meaning:
    1. Arrogant self-exaltation: They speak as if they themselves occupy a high, unchallengeable position, considering themselves above reproach, law, or common humanity. Their speech exudes immense pride and an unassailable sense of self-importance.
    2. Blasphemous challenge to heaven: It can metaphorically mean their words strike at the heights (heaven), challenging God's authority and jurisdiction. This audacious disregard for the divine is explicitly expanded upon in Psalm 73:9. This forms a direct polemic against any notion of divine rule.
    3. From a position of earthly power: It could denote their speech coming from positions of great societal or governmental power, from which they dictate terms and make policies that result in oppression. Their influential words are weaponized.

• they threaten (יְדַבְּר֣וּ, y'dabberu from דָּבָר, dabar):

  • This is the same verb as "speak" earlier in the verse, but contextually, its second use emphasizes authoritative declaration, dictation, or issuance of decrees. They don't just "talk about" oppression; they assert it or declare its enforcement.

• oppression (עֹ֥שֶׁק, ‘osheq):

  • This term denotes exploitation, extortion, violent wrong, or crushing injustice. It encompasses actions that deprive people of their rights, possessions, or dignity, often through force, fraud, or abuse of power. It signifies that the content of their authoritative speech is directly aimed at inflicting deep societal and personal harm.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "They scoff and speak with malice": This pairing depicts a fundamental corruption of speech. The inner malice of their character finds outward expression in scoffing and evil talk. This reveals a disposition that takes delight in unrighteousness and actively propagates it through words, rather than mere accidental lapses. Their speech is intrinsically hostile and morally depraved.
  • "from on high they threaten oppression": This powerful clause illuminates both the source (their inflated pride/position) and target (oppression) of their defiant declarations. Speaking "from on high" accentuates their unbridled arrogance, suggesting they operate with a presumed divine right or an absolute sense of invincibility. This perceived loftiness directly fuels their willingness to "threaten" (or dictate) oppression. Their words are not mere boasts but instrumental declarations intended to enact injustice, using their authority (real or imagined) to impose wrongful exploitation on others.

Psalm 73 8 Bonus section

The marom (on high) in Hebrew also frequently refers to God's dwelling place or His exalted status (e.g., Psa 102:19; Isa 57:15). By stating that the wicked speak "from on high," Asaph subtly suggests that they are not merely speaking boastfully among men, but that their defiant pronouncements directly infringe upon or mock God's own domain and authority. This underscores the theological shock experienced by the Psalmist—that such blasphemous presumption seemed to go unpunished and even accompany prosperity. Their high words, therefore, indicate not only their own elevated perception but also their spiritual audacity to defy the Almighty, an act of verbal insurrection against heaven itself, making their words even more abhorrent to the righteous heart.

Psalm 73 8 Commentary

Psalm 73:8 describes the brazen and malevolent speech of the wicked as observed by the Psalmist. They are characterized by scoffing, a scornful delight in ridiculing that which is righteous or pure, revealing their inner contempt. This derision is amplified by speech delivered with malice, indicating words that are deliberately infused with evil intent, whether through slander, unjust accusations, or statements designed to cause harm. The verse reaches its dramatic peak with "from on high they threaten oppression." This phrase is pivotal, signifying that their speech emanates from a place of extreme pride or perceived ultimate authority. They speak as if from the very seat of power—perhaps societal, self-anointed, or even attempting to usurp divine prerogative—boldly proclaiming and enacting injustice and exploitation. Their earthly prosperity, as lamented earlier in the Psalm, has evidently fueled this outrageous hubris, making them believe they are beyond accountability and capable of dictating their cruel terms with impunity. Their words are thus instruments of both their inner depravity and their outward exercise of power, establishing systems of wrongdoing.