Psalms 10:7

KJV

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue [is] mischief and vanity.

KJV (with Strong's)

His mouth {H6310} is full {H4390} of cursing {H423} and deceit {H4820} and fraud {H8496}: under his tongue {H3956} is mischief {H5999} and vanity {H205}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His mouth is full of curses, deceit, oppression; under his tongue, mischief and injustice.

Berean Standard Bible

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

American Standard Version

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression: Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 10:7 offers a stark and penetrating portrayal of the wicked, revealing the profound moral corruption that emanates from their inner being and manifests through their speech. The verse describes a person whose communication is not merely careless but inherently harmful, characterized by a deliberate intention to deceive, oppress, and cause mischief, underscoring the deep-seated malice that motivates their words and actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 10 is a passionate lament, a heartfelt cry from the psalmist (traditionally David) to God concerning the apparent prosperity and unchecked arrogance of the wicked, and God's seeming silence or hiddenness in the face of their oppression. This psalm functions as a continuation of Psalm 9, which celebrates God's justice and judgment against the wicked, but Psalm 10 shifts to the psalmist's present reality, where the wicked appear to flourish. Verse 7 is part of a detailed characterization of the wicked (vv. 2-11), specifically focusing on the internal depravity that gives rise to their destructive verbal expressions and actions. It sets the stage for the wicked's own arrogant internal monologue in verses 4 and 11, where they deny God's awareness or intervention. The psalm as a whole is a fervent plea for God's divine intervention and righteous judgment against such oppressors, echoing the desperate cry of the vulnerable who suffer under their influence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalms 10:7, and indeed many psalms, is the societal reality of ancient Israel where the vulnerable—widows, orphans, sojourners, and the poor—were often exploited by those in positions of power or influence. The "wicked" described here are not merely those who disregard God, but actively oppress and defraud others, often using their words as tools of manipulation and harm. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, speech was considered a powerful force, reflecting the true nature of one's heart. Cursing, deceit, and fraud were not just social improprieties but serious offenses with spiritual implications, often seen as violations of covenantal obligations and divine law. The description in this verse highlights a pervasive social injustice where the powerful used their words to maintain their oppressive grip.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 10:7 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it vividly illustrates **The Corrupt Nature of Wickedness**, demonstrating that the ungodly's depravity is not superficial but stems from a deeply corrupted heart, as their speech is intentionally destructive. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Deceitful Speech and Intent**, showing how words like "cursing and deceit and fraud" are designed to harm, mislead, and exploit. The phrase "under his tongue is mischief and vanity" further emphasizes the hidden malice and worthless, harmful intentions that motivate their spoken words, highlighting the stark contrast between outward appearance and inward depravity. This connects to the biblical understanding that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," as found in [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart"). Thirdly, the verse points to **Injustice and Oppression**, as terms like "fraud" (implying violence or oppression) and "mischief" reveal the practical outworking of their corrupt character, where words become tools of injustice leading to the harm and exploitation of others. This is a recurring concern in the psalms regarding the wicked, as seen in passages like [Psalm 12:2](/psalms/12-2 "Psalm 12:2 - Deceitful Lips").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursing (Hebrew, _'alah'_):** This word refers to imprecations, oaths, or curses. It implies not merely vulgarity or profanity, but a deliberate desire for harm to befall others, or the act of making false or deceptive oaths that bring ruin. It signifies a verbal act intended to invoke evil or misfortune.
* **Deceit (Hebrew, _mirmah'_):** This term denotes treachery, fraud, or guile. It speaks of intentional misleading, betrayal, and the use of cunning or trickery to gain an advantage, often at the expense of another. It highlights the calculated nature of the wicked's words, designed to ensnare or exploit.
* **Mischief (Hebrew, _'amal'_):** This word signifies trouble, wickedness, or evil. It points to the active intent to cause harm, distress, or injury. Unlike passive evil, 'amal suggests a proactive, laborious effort to bring about destructive outcomes, indicating the wicked's diligent pursuit of malevolent schemes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the pervasive and characteristic nature of the wicked's speech. The phrase "full of" indicates an overflowing abundance, suggesting that these are not occasional slips but the very essence of their communication. "Cursing" (`'alah'`) denotes their active ill-will and desire for harm. "Deceit" (`mirmah'`) highlights their calculated treachery and misleading words. "Fraud" (`tokh'`) broadens the scope from mere words to their destructive consequences, implying oppression, violence, and injustice that accompanies their verbal manipulation. This portrays a person whose every utterance is tainted with malevolence and destructive intent.
* **"under his tongue [is] mischief and vanity."** This second clause delves deeper, moving from the outward manifestation of speech to the hidden, underlying intentions. "Under his tongue" serves as a metaphor for what is concealed, what is harbored in the heart and mind, yet ready to be unleashed through speech. It speaks to the premeditated nature of their evil. "Mischief" (`'amal'`) indicates the active, laborious intent to cause trouble and suffering. "Vanity" (`'aven'`) carries a broad meaning encompassing iniquity, wickedness, emptiness, and even idolatry. Here, it emphasizes the worthlessness, futility, and utter depravity of their hidden intentions and schemes, suggesting that their plans, though harmful to others, are ultimately empty and destructive to themselves. This phrase powerfully conveys the internal malevolence that fuels their outward expressions.

#### Literary Devices
The psalmist employs several potent literary devices to vividly portray the character of the wicked. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "mouth" and "tongue" to represent not just physical organs but the entire capacity for speech and the underlying thought processes. The "mouth" signifies the outward expression, while "under his tongue" points to the hidden, internal source and intent behind the words. **Hyperbole** is used with the phrase "full of," emphasizing the overwhelming and characteristic nature of the wicked's evil speech; it's not just present, but overflowing. While not strict synonymous or antithetical parallelism, the two clauses exhibit a form of **Amplification** or **Climax**, moving from the overt manifestations of evil speech ("cursing, deceit, fraud") to the deeper, more insidious internal motivations ("mischief and vanity"), thereby intensifying the depiction of depravity. The verse also relies on **Imagery** that evokes a sense of a mouth overflowing with putrid and harmful elements, creating a visceral impression of the wicked person's inherent corruption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 10:7 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that sin is not merely an external act but originates from a deeply corrupted heart. The wicked person's speech, full of "cursing and deceit and fraud," is a direct outflow of the "mischief and vanity" harbored within. This verse underscores the pervasive nature of human depravity, where even the most common form of communication—speech—becomes a weapon of injustice and oppression. It highlights God's omniscience, as He sees not only the outward actions but also the hidden intentions "under the tongue." Theologically, it sets the stage for the necessity of divine intervention and judgment, as such pervasive evil cannot go unaddressed by a righteous God. It also implicitly calls for a transformation of the heart, recognizing that true change must begin internally before it can manifest in righteous speech and action.

* [Matthew 15:18](/matthew/15-18 "What Comes Out of the Mouth Defiles")
* [Proverbs 6:12-14](/proverbs/6-12 "The Worthless Person")
* [Romans 3:13-14](/romans/3-13 "The Corruption of Humanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 10:7 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to examine not only the world around us but also the depths of our own hearts and the nature of our speech. In a world where words are often weaponized, this verse calls for profound discernment, urging us to be wary of those whose communication is consistently laced with negativity, manipulation, or a desire to harm. It reminds us that smooth words can often conceal malicious intent, and that true character is revealed not just by what is said, but by the underlying motives and the consistent fruit of one's tongue. More critically, it prompts a rigorous self-examination: Are our own mouths "full of cursing and deceit and fraud," perhaps subtly through gossip, slander, or insincere flattery? Do we harbor "mischief and vanity" "under our tongue," allowing resentments or selfish ambitions to dictate our words? The verse challenges us to cultivate a heart transformed by God's grace, so that our speech may be a source of blessing, truth, and life, rather than destruction. It reinforces the biblical principle that genuine righteousness begins with an inner purity that then flows outward in wholesome and edifying communication. Even when faced with the apparent prosperity of the wicked, this psalm ultimately directs our gaze to God's unwavering justice, reminding us that He sees, He hears, and He will ultimately judge righteously.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the description of the wicked's speech in Psalms 10:7 challenge or affirm your understanding of human depravity?**
* **In what ways might "cursing, deceit, and fraud" manifest in contemporary society or even subtly in our own interactions?**
* **What practical steps can we take to ensure our words reflect a heart submitted to God, rather than one filled with "mischief and vanity"?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "under his tongue"?**

Answer: The phrase "under his tongue" is highly significant because it points to the hidden, internal source and premeditated nature of the wicked's words and actions. It suggests that the "mischief and vanity" are not accidental or impulsive expressions, but rather schemes and intentions that are carefully harbored and nurtured in the heart before being unleashed through speech. It highlights a deeper level of corruption, where evil thoughts, malicious plans, and worthless motives are concealed, much like a snake's venom is stored "under its tongue" before being delivered. This imagery underscores the deceptive nature of the wicked, whose outward words are merely instruments of their inward depravity. It reinforces the biblical truth that the heart is the wellspring of life, and what is stored there inevitably flows out through the mouth, as Jesus taught in [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 10:7, with its stark depiction of a mouth "full of cursing and deceit and fraud" and a heart harboring "mischief and vanity," powerfully encapsulates the pervasive human condition of sin from which only Christ can deliver. This verse highlights the universal depravity that necessitates a divine solution, revealing that humanity's problem is not merely external actions but a deeply corrupted inner being. In stark contrast to the wicked described here, Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of righteous speech and pure intent. His mouth was never "full of cursing," but rather of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He spoke with unparalleled authority and integrity, exposing deceit and bringing light to darkness, never engaging in "fraud" or manipulation. His words were always life-giving, healing, and redemptive, reflecting a heart utterly devoid of "mischief and vanity." Indeed, He is the one who perfectly embodied the truthful speech commanded in [Matthew 5:37](/matthew/5-37 "Matthew 5:37 - Let Your 'Yes' Be 'Yes'"). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ addresses the very root of the "mischief and vanity" within the human heart, offering a new creation where the old, corrupt nature is replaced by a spirit of truth and righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Believers, united with Him, are called to put away corrupting talk and speak only what is helpful for building others up, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Wholesome Speech")), thereby reflecting the character of the One whose mouth was truly pure.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 7:14

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

Job 20:12

Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, [though] he hide it under his tongue;

Psalms 73:8

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

James 3:6

And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

James 3:8

But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Psalms 64:3

Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words:

Psalms 140:3

They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah.