Psalm 59:7 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: Behold, they gush forth with their mouths; Swords are in their lips, For, they say, 'Who hears?'

CSB: Look, they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips. "For who," they say, "will hear?"

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

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

NKJV: Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, “Who hears?”

In response to an attempted ambush (1 Samuel 19:11–16), David has prayed for God's protection (Psalm 59:1–2) and denounced his enemies as violent, evil, animal-like predators (Psalm 59:3–5). By comparing them to dogs (Psalm 59:6), he implies they are unclean and unworthy creatures who attack the weak at night (Psalm 22:16).

This verse extends the analogy of the enemy "howling" and "bellowing." Further, the idea of these enemies making noise is a sign of their arrogance. They are sure no one will hear—in this context, meaning they can plot as they choose, and no one will hold them accountable (Psalm 10:11). This is drastically wrong, as the Lord notices every word and action (Hebrews 4:13) and will hold all men accountable for their actions (Matthew 12:36).

David also points out the harm done by the slander of his enemies. Their words are dangerous and violent (Psalm 58:1–6)—like weapons themselves (Psalm 57:4; 140:3; Jeremiah 9:3; James 3:5–6). Like swords, words can wound in their own way. Paul warned the Galatian churches, "If you bite and devour one another, watch that you are not consumed by one another" (Galatians 5:15). Gossip, criticism, backbiting, and slander are verbal swords that inflict deep wounds on their targets. Ephesians 4:29 exhorts: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion." The same chapter further exhorts believers to discard wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice (Ephesians 4:31).

David prays, asking the Lord to deliver him from a lurking band of bloodthirsty enemies. He calls on the God of Israel to make an example of these lying, evil men, and to destroy them entirely. Rather than despair, David firmly trusts in the Lord and looks forward to victory. David concludes his psalm with praise to the Lord, his Strength, whose love is loyal. David praises God for being his fortress and shelter.

This is one of many psalms where David prays for rescue from his enemies (Psalm 3:1–3; 7:1–2; 54:1–2). King Saul jealously sent men to wait outside David's home to assassinate him (1 Samuel 19:11–16), but David was able to escape with the help of his wife. Because David asks for the Lord to severely judge the wicked, this is considered one of the "imprecatory" psalms, along with Psalms 5, 10, 58, 69, 83, 109, 137, 140, and others.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.