Psalms 73:9
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "their tongue struts through the earth" isn't just about talking; it's about a haughty, arrogant way of speaking that claims authority over everything and everyone. It reveals their deep-seated pride, as if their words have the power to define and control reality itself, echoing their audacious defiance of the heavens.
This verse comes in the middle of Asaph's struggle, where he's wrestling with why wicked people seem to prosper while the faithful suffer. He describes their outward success and lack of punishment, leading into this statement about their arrogant words. This boldness in speech is presented as a characteristic of their ungodly prosperity, setting the stage for his later realization of their ultimate downfall.
Have you ever felt like the wicked are getting away with it, acting like God isn't even watching? This verse describes a profound level of insolence.
The phrase "set their mouth against the heavens" is a powerful image of defiance. It means to speak against God, to mock His ways, and to deny His authority. The ungodly, in their prosperity, seem to forget that there's a higher power.
Speaking Against God
This isn't just disagreement; it's a hostile stance against the divine. It's like shaking a fist at the sky, believing your actions have no eternal consequences.
Imagine someone speaking with absolute authority about everything, everywhere, without consequence. That's the picture this verse paints of the ungodly.
The second part of the verse, "their tongue struts through the earth," reveals the extent of their influence and arrogance.
The Reach of Their Words
Understand the original words
shamayim · Hebrew Noun
The dwelling place of God and the seat of His authority; setting one's mouth against heaven represents a blasphemous challenge to divine sovereignty.
lashon · Hebrew Noun
The instrument of speech; in Scripture, it is a powerful tool capable of both life and death, reflecting the true condition of the speaker's heart.
This passage describes the Antichrist speaking arrogant words against the Most High, mirroring the defiance against the heavens mentioned in Psalms 73:9.
Job 21:15Job's companions describe the wicked as asking 'What is the Almighty that we should serve him?' This echoes the sentiment of rejecting divine authority found in Psalms 73:9.
James 3:5-6James speaks of the tongue as a 'unruly evil, full of deadly poison,' likening its destructive potential to a raging fire that corrupts the whole person, which aligns with the description of the tongue 'strutting through the earth' in Psalms 73:9.
Proverbs 8:13This verse states that 'the fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and crooked speech I hate.' This contrasts with the proud, arrogant speech described in Psalms 73:9, highlighting the sinfulness of such defiance.
2 Peter 2:18Peter describes those who 'utter arrogant, empty words' and speak with 'lustful desire' to those who are escaping from error, connecting the vain, boastful speech of the wicked in Psalms 73:9 to a seductive and destructive influence.
clarkePsalms 73:9: "They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth."
Set their mouth against the heavens - They blaspheme God, ridicule religion, mock at Providence, and laugh at a future state. Their tongue walketh through the earth - They find fault with every thing; they traduce the memory of the just in heaven, and ridicule the saints that are upon earth. They criticize every dispensation of God.
poolePsalms 73:9: "They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth."
Against the heavens, i.e. against God, blaspheming his name, denying or deriding his providence, reviling his saints and servants. Walketh through the earth; using all manner of liberty, introducing and reproaching all sorts of persons, not caring whom they displease or hurt by it.
The phrase "their tongue struts through the earth" isn't just about talking; it's about a haughty, arrogant way of speaking that claims authority over everything and everyone. It reveals their deep-seated pride, as if their words have the power to define and control reality itself, echoing their audacious defiance of the heavens.
This verse comes in the middle of Asaph's struggle, where he's wrestling with why wicked people seem to prosper while the faithful suffer. He describes their outward success and lack of punishment, leading into this statement about their arrogant words. This boldness in speech is presented as a characteristic of their ungodly prosperity, setting the stage for his later realization of their ultimate downfall.
This verse comes in the middle of Asaph's struggle, where he's wrestling with why wicked people seem to prosper while the faithful suffer. He describes their outward success and lack of punishment, leading into this statement about their arrogant words. This boldness in speech is presented as a characteristic of their ungodly prosperity, setting the stage for his later realization of their ultimate downfall.
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"They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth." — The phrase "their tongue struts through the earth" isn't just about talking; it's about a haughty, arrogant way of speaking that claims authority over everything and everyone. It reveals their deep-s…
