Psalm 73 9

Psalm 73:9

ESV: They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

KJV: They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

NIV: Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

NKJV: They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue walks through the earth.

NLT: They boast against the very heavens,
and their words strut throughout the earth.

Meaning

This verse describes the profound arrogance and defiance of the wicked. They are portrayed as setting their speech directly against God in the heavens, boldly challenging divine authority and justice. Simultaneously, their unbridled tongue acts with unhesitating arrogance and unrestrained power, spreading their godless ideas and defiant attitudes across the entire earth among humanity. It signifies an utter contempt for divine oversight and human accountability.

Cross References

Context

Psalm 73 begins with the Psalmist Asaph wrestling with a profound spiritual crisis. He observes the undeniable prosperity and ease of the wicked (vv. 3-8), leading him to question God's justice and the value of his own righteousness. Verse 9 is a pivotal description of the wicked, specifically highlighting their unbridled arrogance and public defiance towards God and humanity. They speak as if no divine judgment exists and operate freely, spreading their corrupt influence without restraint. Asaph nearly stumbled from his faith because of this apparent injustice, until he entered the sanctuary and gained a heavenly perspective on their true, impending end (vv. 16-19).

Word analysis

• They set (וְשַׁתּוּ - v'shattu): From the root שָׁת (shat), meaning "to put," "to place," or "to set." This verb in the perfect tense conveys a definite and deliberate action. It is not an accidental slip of the tongue, but a conscious positioning of their words in direct opposition. It signifies intentional hostility and arrangement.
• their mouths (פִּיהֶם - pihem): Refers to פֶּה (peh), "mouth" or "opening," combined with the possessive pronoun "their." The mouth is the instrument of speech, indicating their verbal expressions and declarations. Its use underscores that the arrogance is articulated, public, and deliberate.
• against the heavens (בַשָּׁמַיִם - vashamayim): Consists of בְּ (be-), often meaning "in" or "on," but here, "against" or "at" to convey opposition and direction. שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) means "heavens" or "sky," frequently representing God's dwelling place or God Himself in Old Testament usage. This phrase unequivocally denotes direct verbal defiance, blasphemy, and challenges to divine authority and sovereignty. It indicates a vertical axis of contempt, looking upward in rebellion.
• and their tongue (וּלְשׁוֹנָם - u'lishonam): וְ (v'-) for "and," and לָשׁוֹן (lashon), "tongue," with "their" possessive. The tongue is the primary organ of speech, emphasizing the wicked's unrestrained and pervasive use of words. It also suggests that their words are the agents of their defiant actions.
• struts (תִּהֲלַּךְ - tihallakh): From הָלַךְ (halakh), "to walk" or "to go." The Hithpael stem here signifies an intensive, reflective, or repetitive action. It suggests a bold, free, confident, and perhaps haughty movement, as one walking proudly. It's a striking anthropomorphism; their tongue is not merely speaking, but moving through the world with an air of mastery and impunity. This depicts unhindered self-expression.
• through the earth (בָּאָרֶץ - ba'aretz): בְּ (be-) "in" or "through" + אֶרֶץ (eretz) "earth" or "land." This indicates the sphere of their influence. While their mouth defied heaven, their tongue roams freely and unhindered throughout human society on earth, spreading their godless philosophies, moral depravity, and boasting without facing any immediate resistance or consequences. It depicts a horizontal axis of their defiance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They set their mouths against the heavens": This phrase powerfully conveys direct blasphemy and overt rebellion against God. It is a bold, verbal assault on divine authority and an explicit denial of God's governance or justice. Their speech is not accidental or minor, but a calculated declaration of independence from and defiance of the Almighty. This can be understood as questioning God's very existence, His power, His goodness, or His right to rule.
• "and their tongue struts through the earth": This vividly portrays the widespread influence and confident audacity of the wicked among people. Their words and philosophies of pride, self-sufficiency, and ungodliness spread unchecked in society. The "strutting" implies a boastful, triumphant, and pervasive public display of their worldview, unchallenged and dominant within earthly affairs. They not only deny God personally but actively promote their rebellious worldview to others, dominating human discourse and setting cultural norms with their anti-God narratives.

Commentary

Psalm 73:9 paints a striking picture of the wicked's twofold defiance: vertical and horizontal. "They set their mouths against the heavens" speaks to their direct blasphemy and rejection of divine authority. This isn't just common cursing; it's a deliberate intellectual and verbal assault on the sovereignty, justice, and very being of God. It's the kind of hubris that believes itself above divine scrutiny and accountability. The phrase reflects a deep spiritual sickness where God is either irrelevant, nonexistent, or an obstacle to be openly opposed. This defiant posture encapsulates the essence of rebellion against the Creator.

Following this, "and their tongue struts through the earth" describes the consequence and outward manifestation of this inner rebellion. Their arrogant, godless speech and philosophies are not confined to their minds but are openly proclaimed and propagate throughout society. The imagery of "strutting" implies a confident, unhindered, even proud progression of their corrupt ideas. They act as if they own the world and their views are superior, spreading them widely without any sense of shame or impending judgment. Asaph's deep concern stemmed from the observed prosperity and unchallenged public influence of these individuals, which made God's ways seem unfair. This verse summarizes the vocal, public, and pervasive nature of the wicked's ungodliness, causing immense distress to the righteous until the true end of the wicked is revealed (Psalm 73:17).

Examples: Those who promote widespread moral relativism, dismiss biblical truth as outdated, openly mock faith in God in public forums, or lead movements that legislate against divine precepts.

Bonus section

The verse employs powerful anthropomorphism and synonymous parallelism. The "mouth" and "tongue" are not just speaking organs but active agents personifying the wicked's deliberate and pervasive verbal rebellion. The parallelism means both clauses essentially express the same central idea—the wicked's bold, unbridled defiance—but from different perspectives: their rebellion against God (heavens) and its manifestation among humanity (earth). Asaph’s initial perception that "surely in vain I have kept my heart pure" (v. 13) was largely due to this observation that the wicked appeared to successfully challenge God and dominate earthly discourse without repercussion. This verse vividly articulates the specific cause of his near-stumbling, showcasing the magnitude of the problem he faced.

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