Psalms 59:7

Psalms 59:7

Verse 7 describes the enemies’ boasting: “Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?” The psalmist uses graphic language to portray the lethal power of their words—figurative swords—that can wound through speech, insinuation, and rumor. In ancient culture, lips and speech were seen as potent weapons capable of driving others to action or ruin. The verse captures the social danger of intimidation by verbal aggression, suggesting that the enemy’s rhetoric seeks to intimidate God’s people into silence or submission. The cry acknowledges that the speakers believe their words are unobserved or unheard by divine or human justice.

Words have moral weight in Scripture, and this verse underscores accountability for what is spoken. It also demonstrates that God sees and judges speech that harms others or seeks to manipulate justice. The imagery of swords in lips points to the power of language to harm or protect, and to a God who hears even when the crowd does not.

Practically, this verse can encourage wise speech and caution against glamorizing sharp or gossip-filled language. It can empower believers to resist participating in slander and to confront or report verbal abuse when it occurs in workplaces or communities. It also suggests the importance of speaking truth with grace, guarding our own words to avoid being the “sword” that wounds others. If you are the target of such verbal aggression, bring the matter to God and to trusted authorities, while choosing to respond with integrity rather than retaliation.

Cross-References: James 3:5-12; Proverbs 18:21; Psalm 63:11; Proverbs 12:18; Ephesians 4:29