Psalms 10:7

Psalms 10:7 starkly portrays the character of the wicked, revealing the depth of their moral corruption through their speech and inner disposition. The verse describes a person whose communication is inherently harmful and whose motives are entirely malicious.

Context

Psalm 10 is a lament, a heartfelt cry to God from the psalmist (traditionally David) concerning the apparent prosperity and arrogance of the wicked, and God's seeming inaction or hiddenness in the face of their oppression. This psalm describes the wicked in detail, highlighting their pride, self-sufficiency, and contempt for God. Verse 7 specifically focuses on their verbal expressions and underlying intentions, laying bare the true nature of their evil deeds and how it manifests in their words and actions towards the vulnerable. The psalm is a plea for God's divine intervention and justice against such oppressors, echoing the desperate cry of the righteous who suffer under their influence.

Key Themes

• The Corrupt Nature of Wickedness: The verse vividly illustrates that the wickedness of the ungodly is not merely superficial but stems from a deeply corrupted heart. Their speech is not just careless but intentionally destructive.
• Deceitful Speech and Intent: "Cursing and deceit and fraud" indicate that their words are designed to harm, mislead, and exploit. The phrase "under his tongue is mischief and vanity" suggests hidden malice and worthless, harmful intentions that motivate their spoken words. This highlights the contrast between outward appearance and inward depravity.
• Injustice and Oppression: The terms used, particularly "fraud" (which can imply violence or oppression) and "mischief," point to the practical outworking of their corrupt character. Their words are tools of injustice, leading to harm and exploitation of others. This is a recurring theme in the psalms concerning the wicked, as seen in Psalm 12:2 which speaks of speaking vanity with flattering lips.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used in this verse paint a vivid picture of depravity:

• "Cursing" (Heb. 'alah - אָלָה): Refers to imprecations, oaths, or curses. It implies not just vulgarity but a desire for harm to befall others, or false swearing.
• "Deceit" (Heb. mirmah - מִרְמָה): Means treachery, fraud, or guile. It speaks of intentional misleading and betrayal.
• "Fraud" (Heb. tokh - תּוֹךְ): Can denote oppression, violence, or injustice. It suggests destructive actions that accompany their deceitful words.
• "Mischief" (Heb. 'amal - עָמָל): Signifies trouble, wickedness, or evil. It points to the active intent to cause harm or distress.
• "Vanity" (Heb. 'aven - אָוֶן): Carries a broad meaning including iniquity, wickedness, emptiness, or idolatry. Here, it emphasizes the worthlessness and utter depravity of their hidden intentions, suggesting that their schemes are ultimately futile or destructive. The combination "mischief and vanity" powerfully conveys their internal malevolence.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

• Discernment: It calls us to be discerning about the words and character of others. Not all who speak smoothly have pure intentions. We are reminded that the heart is deceitful above all things, and this deceit often manifests through speech.
• Self-Examination: It prompts introspection about our own speech and motives. Are our words full of blessing or cursing? Do we speak truth or engage in deceit? Jesus taught that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, emphasizing the connection between our inner state and our words.
• Trust in God's Justice: Even when the wicked appear to prosper and their words cause widespread harm, this psalm, and indeed the entire Bible, reaffirms God's ultimate justice. He sees, He hears, and He will judge righteously.
• The Power of the Tongue: The verse underscores the destructive potential of the tongue when wielded by a corrupt heart, serving as a warning against ungodly speech and a call to cultivate words that bring life and truth.