Bible Strands
Psalms 73:9
They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist describes arrogant wicked individuals who mock God and threaten oppression, placing their boastful speech immediately after a description of their malicious behavior and before a note on how their words draw others into their corruption.
The words — The Hebrew verb שַׁתּוּ (sha.Tu) translates literally as "they set," while תִּהֲלַךְ (ti.ha.Lakh) means "it walks" or "struts." Paired with פִּי (mouth) and לְשׁוֹנָם (tongue), the phrasing depicts speech that aggressively positions itself against the heavens and traverses the earth.
The thread — This pattern of defiant speech against God appears in Revelation 13:6, where a beast speaks blasphemies against God, and in Exodus 5:2, where Pharaoh denies the Lord's authority. James 3:6 further connects this theme by describing the tongue as a destructive fire that pollutes the whole person.
Why it lands — The text states that arrogant speech targets divine authority and spreads corruption across communities before interpreting it as a structural rebellion. It asks the reader to audit their own words for whether they elevate human pride or acknowledge divine sovereignty.
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 set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Cross-references
- Revelation 13:6 And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven.
- Exodus 5:2 But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”
- James 3:6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
- 2 Chronicles 32:15 So now, do not let Hezekiah deceive you, and do not let him mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand!”
- Daniel 3:15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”
- Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
- Luke 18:4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men,
- Job 21:14 Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.
- Psalms 52:4 You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.