Psalms 59:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, they belch out {H5042}{H8686)} with their mouth {H6310}: swords {H2719} are in their lips {H8193}: for who, say they, doth hear {H8085}{H8802)}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Look what pours out of their mouth, what swords are on their lips, [as they say to themselves,] "No one is listening, anyway."

Berean Standard Bible

See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”

American Standard Version

Behold, they belch out with their mouth; Swords are in their lips: For who, say they, doth hear?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 59:7 powerfully depicts the unrestrained and malevolent speech of David's enemies, portraying their words not merely as communication but as a torrent of venomous aggression. Their utterances are likened to sharp swords, revealing a deliberate intent to wound, slander, and destroy. This verbal assault is compounded by their arrogant and godless conviction that their wicked words and deeds go unnoticed and unpunished, as they defiantly question whether anyone, especially God, truly hears their blasphemies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 59 is a Michtam (a "golden psalm") of David, specifically attributed to the time "when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him," directly referencing the desperate events in [1 Samuel 19:11-12](/1-samuel/19-11-12 "1 Samuel 19:11-12 - David's Escape from Saul"). The psalm is a fervent lament and prayer for divine deliverance from bloodthirsty adversaries who relentlessly pursue David's life. Within this urgent plea, David vividly characterizes his enemies, emphasizing their animalistic ferocity (likened to prowling dogs in [Psalms 59:6](/psalms/59-6 "Psalms 59:6 - Enemies Prowling Like Dogs")) and, critically, their malicious speech. Verse 7 specifically highlights this verbal aggression, serving as a crucial bridge between their violent actions and David's subsequent appeal to God's omniscience and ultimate justice, as expressed in [Psalms 59:8](/psalms/59-8 "Psalms 59:8 - God Laughs at the Wicked"). This verse underscores the psalmist's profound distress caused not only by physical threats but also by the psychological and spiritual assault of their words.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is David's period of intense persecution by King Saul, who, driven by jealousy and paranoia, repeatedly sought to kill him. The incident described in the psalm's superscription—Saul sending men to watch David's house—marks a particularly perilous moment where David's life hung by a thread. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, words were imbued with immense power, often believed to possess a tangible force capable of invoking curses, blessings, or even bringing about physical harm through slander, false accusations, and incitement. The enemies' defiant rhetorical question, "who, say they, doth hear?", reflects a common ancient mindset of impunity among those who believed themselves beyond accountability, whether to human authority or divine judgment. Their crude language, "belch out," further underscores their contempt for moral propriety and their unbridled malice, suggesting a total lack of restraint in their verbal assaults, typical of those who feel no need to hide their evil intentions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalms 59 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **The Malicious Nature of the Wicked**, portraying them as unrestrained, arrogant, and actively hostile, particularly through their speech. Their words are not merely offensive but weaponized, directly embodying the theme of **The Destructive Power of the Tongue**, a concept echoed throughout wisdom literature, such as in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue"), which declares, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Secondly, the enemies' rhetorical question, "who, say they, doth hear?", highlights their profound **Godlessness and Perceived Impunity**. This defiance directly challenges the biblical understanding of **Divine Omniscience and Justice**, setting up the psalmist's unwavering trust in God's ultimate awareness and righteous judgment. This contrast between human arrogance and divine sovereignty is a recurring motif in the Psalms, where the righteous consistently appeal to God against those who mock His presence and power, as seen in [Psalms 10:4](/psalms/10-4 "Psalms 10:4 - The Wicked Do Not Seek God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Belch out (Hebrew, _nâbaʻ'_):** From H5042, a primitive root meaning "to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul odor); belch out, flowing, pour out, send forth, utter (abundantly)." In this context, it vividly portrays an uncontrolled, overflowing, and offensive torrent of words. It does not imply a literal physical belch but rather speech that is spewed forth without restraint, suggesting a vulgar, aggressive, and abundant outpouring of malice, akin to a gushing stream or even vomit, emphasizing its repulsive and unrestrained nature.
* **Swords (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** From H2719, meaning "drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool." Here, "swords" is used as a potent metaphor, directly equating the enemies' words to instruments of violence and destruction. Their speech is not just offensive; it is actively hostile, designed to wound, slander, threaten, or destroy David's reputation and life, emphasizing the lethal potential and piercing nature of their verbal assaults.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, a primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness." The enemies' rhetorical question, "who doth hear?", using this word, expresses profound defiance and a sense of impunity, revealing their arrogant conviction that their wicked words and deeds go unnoticed and unpunished by any authority, human or divine. It is a direct challenge to God's omniscience and justice, indicating their utter disregard for accountability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, they belch out with their mouth":** This opening clause immediately commands attention with the interjection "Behold," drawing the reader into the psalmist's visceral description. The phrase "belch out with their mouth" paints a crude and forceful picture of the enemies' speech. It conveys not merely casual talk but a violent, uncontrolled, and offensive outpouring of words. This imagery suggests a profound lack of self-control, a vulgarity, and an overwhelming volume of malicious utterance, akin to a torrent of venom or a repulsive discharge.
* **"swords [are] in their lips":** This powerful **metaphor** immediately clarifies the true nature and destructive intent behind their words. Their speech is not just offensive; it is weaponized. The words they utter are depicted as sharp, cutting swords, designed to inflict pain, to slander, to accuse falsely, or to threaten David's very life. This emphasizes the piercing, destructive, and potentially lethal impact of their verbal attacks, highlighting that their words are instruments of violence.
* **"for who, [say they], doth hear?":** This concluding clause exposes the core of the enemies' arrogance, godlessness, and perceived impunity. It is a rhetorical question that expresses their profound disbelief and defiance—they assume that no one, especially God, is listening to their words or observing their actions. They operate under the delusion of complete unaccountability, believing they are beyond divine judgment and that their wickedness will go unpunished. This defiance underscores their contempt for divine justice and their self-assured freedom to act without consequence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 59:7 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the intensity of the enemies' malice and David's distress. The most striking is the vivid **Metaphor** in "swords are in their lips," which directly equates their words to lethal weapons, powerfully portraying their speech as an instrument of violence and destruction. The phrase "belch out with their mouth" utilizes powerful and crude **Imagery**, creating a visceral, uncontrolled, and offensive depiction of their verbal outpouring, suggesting a torrent of unrestrained malice. The concluding "for who, [say they], doth hear?" is a clear **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer but to express the enemies' arrogant defiance and their perceived impunity, highlighting their godless disregard for divine oversight. Additionally, there is an implied **Hyperbole** in the intensity of both "belch out" and "swords," emphasizing the extreme, overwhelming, and utterly destructive nature of the verbal assault David endures. The use of "Behold" at the beginning serves as an **Exclamatory Interjection**, drawing the reader's immediate attention to the shocking reality David is describing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 59:7 profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of the immense power and inherent danger of human speech, particularly when wielded with malicious intent. It highlights the stark contrast between the arrogant self-assurance of the wicked, who believe their words and deeds go unnoticed, and the omnipresent, omniscient God who indeed hears all. This verse underscores that words are not mere sounds but can be instruments of profound harm, capable of cutting, slandering, and destroying, much like physical weapons. It calls believers to a sober awareness of both the speech directed against them and the profound responsibility for their own words, reminding us that true justice ultimately rests with the God who sees and hears everything, and who will hold all accountable for their utterances.

* [Proverbs 12:18](/proverbs/12-18 "Proverbs 12:18 - Reckless Words Pierce Like Swords") - "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."
* [James 3:5-6](/james/3-5-6 "James 3:5-6 - The Destructive Power of the Tongue") - "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity..."
* [Psalms 94:7-9](/psalms/94-7-9 "Psalms 94:7-9 - God Sees and Hears") - "Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with digital communication, where words can spread globally in an instant, Psalms 59:7 serves as a poignant and highly relevant warning. David's experience with enemies whose words were like "swords" and who "belched out" malice resonates deeply with the contemporary reality of slander, gossip, cyberbullying, and verbal abuse in our society. This verse calls us to recognize the profound impact of speech—both the words directed at us and the words we ourselves utter. When we are the targets of such venomous speech, David's response in the psalm, turning to God for deliverance and justice, offers a powerful model. It reminds us that despite the perceived impunity of those who speak evil, God indeed hears every word and will ultimately bring all things to account. This truth should comfort the slandered and humble the slanderer. Furthermore, it challenges us to examine our own hearts and tongues, ensuring that our words are instruments of grace, truth, and edification, rather than weapons of destruction, always remembering that we are accountable to the One who hears all and judges righteously.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "belching out" and "swords in their lips" challenge our understanding of the power of words in both ancient and modern contexts, particularly in the digital age?**
* **In what ways might we, even subtly, act as if "who doth hear?" when we speak or act, believing ourselves beyond accountability to God or others?**
* **When faced with malicious speech, unjust accusations, or public slander, how does David's response in this psalm encourage us to turn to God for justice and comfort rather than retaliate in kind?**
* **What practical steps can we take to ensure our words are instruments of grace, truth, and edification, reflecting Christ's example, rather than sources of harm or division?**

### FAQ
**What does "belch out with their mouth" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Psalms 59:7, "belch out with their mouth" (Hebrew: נָבַע, _nâbaʻ_) is not a literal physical act of belching. Instead, it's a vivid and crude metaphor for an uncontrolled, offensive, and abundant outpouring of malicious words. It conveys the idea of words gushing forth, bubbling up, or being spewed out without restraint, much like vomit or a torrent of water. This imagery emphasizes the vulgarity, lack of control, and aggressive intent behind the enemies' verbal assaults, highlighting the sheer volume and venom of their slander and threats against David. It underscores the repulsive and unrestrained nature of their speech.

**How are "swords in their lips" a metaphor for words?**

Answer: The phrase "swords in their lips" is a powerful metaphor that directly equates the enemies' words to sharp, cutting weapons. It means that their speech is not merely offensive or critical, but actively hostile, designed to wound, slander, destroy reputation, or even threaten life. Just as a sword can inflict physical harm, their words are intended to cause emotional, social, or even physical destruction. This metaphor underscores the dangerous and lethal power of the tongue when used for evil, a theme found elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [Proverbs 12:18](/proverbs/12-18 "Proverbs 12:18 - Reckless Words Pierce Like Swords"), which states, "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword."

**Why do the enemies say "who doth hear?"**

Answer: The rhetorical question "who, [say they], doth hear?" reveals the profound arrogance and godlessness of David's enemies. They utter this question because they believe their wicked deeds and malicious words go unnoticed and unpunished by any authority, human or divine. It signifies a perceived impunity, a defiant challenge to the idea that God is omniscient or that there will be any accountability for their actions. They mock the very notion of divine justice, operating under the delusion that they are free to act wickedly without consequence, as also seen in [Psalms 94:7](/psalms/94-7 "Psalms 94:7 - They Say the Lord Does Not See"), where the wicked declare, "The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 59:7, with its vivid depiction of enemies spewing malicious, sword-like words while arrogantly believing themselves unobserved, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our Savior Himself endured an unparalleled torrent of verbal abuse, slander, false accusations, and blasphemies from His adversaries. From the Pharisees' accusations of demon possession ([Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - Accusation of Beelzebub")) to the crowds' shouts of "Crucify him!" ([Matthew 27:22](/matthew/27-22 "Matthew 27:22 - Crucify Him!")), Jesus faced the full force of human malice unleashed through the tongue. Yet, unlike David who cried out for immediate justice, Christ, the true Lamb of God, "was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")), fulfilling ancient prophecy and setting the supreme example of patient endurance. He did not return evil for evil, but "when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" ([1 Peter 2:23](/1-peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). The enemies' defiant "who doth hear?" is utterly silenced by Christ, the one who is the eternal Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")) and who will ultimately judge all speech and action. His cross disarms the power of malicious words for those who believe, and His glorious resurrection guarantees that every defiant boast will be brought to justice by the One who truly hears and sees all, and who will return with a sharp sword from His mouth to strike down the nations ([Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - Christ's Judgment")).

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 57:4

My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalms 10:11

He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see [it].

Proverbs 15:2

¶ The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Psalms 73:11

And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

Psalms 55:21

[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.

Psalms 10:13

Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require [it].

Psalms 64:3

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