Psalms 59:7

Verse

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

American Standard Version (1901)

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

See, hate is dropping from their lips; curses are on their tongues: they say, Who gives attention to it?

See what evil talk comes pouring out of their mouths! Words sharp as swords, for they say to themselves, “Who can hear us?”

Geneva Bible 1599

Behold, they brag in their talke, and swords are in their lips: for, Who, say they, doeth heare?

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, “For,” they say, “who sh'ma ·hears obeys· us?”

Translation for Translators

They loudly say terrible things; they say [MTY] many things that injure people like [MET] swords do, but they think, “No one will [RHQ] hear us!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

See, they belch out with their mouths; swords are in their lips, for they say, “Who hears us?”

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, “For”, they say, “who hears us?”

Young's Literal Translation

Lo, they belch out with their mouths, Swords [are] in their lips, for 'Who heareth?'

Context

Deliver Me from My Enemies

⁶They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. ⁷See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?” ⁸But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.

Summary

In this verse, the psalmist expresses confidence in God's protection and deliverance from enemies. Despite facing threats and opposition, the psalmist trusts in the Lord's strength and steadfast love to sustain and rescue him. This declaration of faith serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power to intervene on behalf of His people in times of trouble. It reflects a deep reliance on God's sovereignty and protection in the face of adversity, inspiring believers to turn to Him for refuge and safety.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

for who, say they--For the full expression with the supplied words, compare Psa 64:5.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Behold, they belch out with their mouth,.... Bark like dogs, so Aben Ezra; or "bubble out" (u), as a fountain bubbles out with water; so they cast out their wickedness in great abundance; see Jer 6:7; the phrase denotes the abundance of evil things and wicked speeches that came out of their mouths, which showed the naughtiness of their hearts; so David's enemies blustered and threatened what they would do to him could they find him; and Christ's enemies poured out their wicked charges of blasphemy and sedition against him, in great plenty, and without proof; swords are in their lips; the words of their lips were like sharp swords; see Psa 55:21; threatening the most severe and cruel things: or, besides their lips, and what they belched out with their mouths, they took swords in their hands in a literal sense; as Saul's messengers did to kill David, and as Judas and his band of men, who came to take Christ as a thief, with swords and staves, Mat 26:55; for who, say they, doth hear? what they uttered with their mouths and lips, in a blustering and threatening manner; though they were overheard by men, who carried what they said and designed to do to Michal, David's wife. The meaning may be, they would say what they pleased, and did not care who heard them, having nothing to fear from any, they having their orders from the king; see Psa 12:4; and so the Targum, "behold they belch out with their mouths words which are sharp as swords, and with their lips saying, we shall prevail; for who is he that hears, and can punish?'' Aben Ezra's note is, "they thought that God did not hear their counsels;'' and therefore the next words are in direct opposition to them; but so to think is monstrous stupidity and brutishness, Psa 94:4; some take the words to be the words of David, complaining that the civil magistrate, none of the judges, took notice of or punished such who belched out their lies and calumnies against him, saying, "for who doth hear?" no man. (u) "scaturient", Montanus; "copiose eructant", Gejerus.