See what they spew from their mouths--sharp words from their lips: "For who can hear us?" See what they spew from their mouthsThe imagery here is vivid and visceral, evoking a sense of disgust and violence. The Hebrew word for "spew" is "נָבַע" (nava), which can mean to gush forth or pour out. This suggests an uncontrolled, almost natural outpouring of malice and deceit. In the historical context, this reflects the behavior of David's enemies, who were relentless in their verbal attacks. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the power of words and the destructive potential of unchecked speech, echoing James 3:6, which describes the tongue as a fire. sharp words from their lips
The phrase "sharp words" translates from the Hebrew "חֲרָבוֹת" (charavot), meaning swords. This metaphor highlights the lethal nature of their speech, equating words with weapons. In the ancient Near Eastern context, words were often seen as having tangible power, capable of blessing or cursing. This aligns with Proverbs 12:18, which states, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords." The psalmist is emphasizing the intentional harm these words are meant to inflict, a reflection of the spiritual warfare believers face. For who can hear us?
This rhetorical question reveals the arrogance and perceived impunity of the wicked. The Hebrew "שָׁמַע" (shama) means to hear or listen, but it also implies understanding or heeding. The enemies believe their actions and words go unnoticed, perhaps even by God. This reflects a common biblical theme where the wicked assume they are beyond divine justice, as seen in Psalm 10:11, "He says to himself, 'God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.'" Theologically, this challenges believers to trust in God's omniscience and justice, knowing that nothing escapes His notice. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 59, David is seeking God's protection from his enemies. This psalm is a plea for deliverance from those who seek to harm him. 2. Saul's MenThe context of this psalm is David's persecution by King Saul, who sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him. These men are the ones speaking the "sharp words." 3. EnemiesThe broader category of those who oppose David, representing the wicked who plot against the righteous. 4. GodThe ultimate judge and protector, to whom David cries out for help and deliverance. 5. JerusalemThe setting of many of David's psalms, including this one, as it is the city where David spent much of his time and faced many of his trials. Teaching Points The Power of WordsWords have the power to harm or heal. As believers, we must be mindful of our speech, ensuring it aligns with God's truth and love. God Hears AllThe enemies' question, "For who can hear us?" reflects a false sense of security. God hears all, and we are accountable for our words and actions. Trust in God's JusticeLike David, we can trust that God sees and hears the injustices we face. He is our defender and will bring justice in His time. Responding to PersecutionWhen faced with verbal attacks or persecution, we should follow David's example by turning to God in prayer and seeking His protection. Guarding Our HeartsThe words we speak are a reflection of our hearts. We must guard our hearts and fill them with God's Word to ensure our speech is edifying. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the context of David's situation with Saul's men enhance our interpretation of Psalm 59:7? 2. In what ways can we apply the teaching about the power of words from Psalm 59:7 to our daily interactions? 3. How does the assurance that God hears all words and sees all actions provide comfort in times of injustice or persecution? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our words align with the wisdom found in Proverbs 12:18? 5. How can we cultivate a heart that produces words of life and healing, as opposed to the "sharp words" described in Psalm 59:7? Connections to Other Scriptures James 3:6This verse discusses the power of the tongue and its potential for evil, similar to the "sharp words" mentioned in Psalm 59:7. Proverbs 12:18This proverb contrasts the reckless words that pierce like swords with the tongue of the wise that brings healing, highlighting the destructive nature of the enemies' words in Psalm 59:7. Matthew 12:36-37Jesus speaks about being accountable for every careless word, which connects to the arrogance of the enemies in Psalm 59:7 who believe no one hears them. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Attention, Behold, Belch, Bellowing, Curses, Dropping, Forth, Gives, Hate, Heareth, Hears, Lips, Mouth, Mouths, Snarling, Spew, Swords, TonguesDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:5-8 8819 scoffing Library Waiting and Singing
'Because of his strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence.... 17. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.'--PSALM lix. 9, 17. There is an obvious correspondence between these two verses even as they stand in our translation, and still more obviously in the Hebrew. You observe that in the former verse the words 'because of' are a supplement inserted by our translators, because they did not exactly know what to make of the bare words as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Wherefore this do Ye, virgins of God, this do Ye...
53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in lowly wise unto the Lowly, if ye love: and depart not from Him, lest ye fall. For whoso fears to depart from Him asks and says, "Let there not come to me foot of pride." [2214] Go on in the way of loftiness with the foot of lowliness; Himself lifteth up such as follow in lowly wise, …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ, and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,) were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they should be lifted up. [2679] For their good works did not come before God's mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and by them written, long ere …
St. Augustine—On Patience Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 59:7 NIVPsalm 59:7 NLTPsalm 59:7 ESVPsalm 59:7 NASBPsalm 59:7 KJV
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