What is the meaning of Psalm 73:9? They set their mouths against the heavens - Asaph is describing people who openly rail at God. They speak as though they can storm the throne room with mere words, echoing Revelation 13:6 where the beast “opened its mouth to blaspheme God.” - This is literal speech directed “against the heavens,” not just vague irreverence. Their blasphemy mirrors Goliath’s taunts in 1 Samuel 17:45, making themselves opponents of the Almighty. - It shows deliberate rebellion; Psalm 12:4 captures their attitude: “With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own—who can be lord over us?” - The setting of their mouths “against” heaven reveals a hostile posture, like shaking a fist at the sky, recalling Isaiah 37:23, “Whom have you insulted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!” - By highlighting speech, Asaph underlines that sin often starts with words (James 3:5–6). and their tongues strut across the earth - The same mouths that challenge God also parade their arrogance before people. “Strut” paints a picture of swaggering pride, similar to what we see in Psalm 52:1 when the mighty man “boasts all day long.” - Their words travel far, influencing others. Like the builders of Babel in Genesis 11:4, they want a name that reaches everywhere. - Their speech becomes a tool of oppression; Proverbs 17:7 warns that “arrogant lips” are unfitting, yet these people flaunt them. - The verse exposes the scope of their arrogance: vertical (against heaven) and horizontal (across earth). Jude 1:15-16 describes such people as “ungodly sinners who have spoken against Him… grumblers, malcontents… loud-mouthed boasters.” - The imagery reinforces that wicked speech is never private; it roams the earth, infecting communities (2 Timothy 2:16-17). summary Psalm 73:9 pictures the wicked unleashing boastful, blasphemous words upward toward God and outward toward humanity. Their speech is both a direct assault on the Creator and a proud parade before the created. Asaph’s vivid language warns that arrogant words reveal a heart in full rebellion, yet the broader psalm assures us that God remains just and will ultimately silence every mouth raised against Him. |
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