Bible Strands
Psalms 73:8
They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist describes the arrogant wicked within the assembly while wrestling with a crisis of faith over why the prosperous appear untouchable. This observation is directed to God and the community during a moment of spiritual disorientation.
The words — The Hebrew יָמִיקוּ (ya.Mi.ku) literally means "they mock," paired with עֹשֶׁק ('O.shek), meaning "oppression," which the text presents as a threat issued from a self-exalted position. These terms ground the verse in verbal contempt and violent ambition rather than abstract pride.
The thread — This pattern of arrogant speech and oppressive pursuit appears in Psalms 17:10, where callous hearts produce arrogant words, and in Psalms 10:2, where pride drives the wicked to hunt the needy. Jude 1:16 later catalogs such individuals as grumblers whose mouths spew arrogance and who flatter others for gain.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to separate observable success from moral legitimacy and to evaluate speech by its ethical impact. It asks for clear-eyed judgment of the wicked without excusing their behavior because of their temporary advantage.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Cross-references
- Jude 1:16 These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.
- Psalms 17:10 They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance.
- Psalms 10:2 In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
- Psalms 10:10 They are crushed and beaten down; the helpless fall prey to his strength.
- Psalms 12:4 They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”
- Psalms 53:1 For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.
- Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—
- Jeremiah 7:9 Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,
- 2 Peter 2:10 Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
- 2 Peter 2:18 With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.