The ungodly speaker’s sinful words reveal a deeper rebellion against the ways of the Lord.
When the psalmist says, “His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness” (v.7), he points to the power of words used by the ungodly—words that are hostile, untruthful, and designed to take advantage of others. In Psalm 10, the contrast is drawn between those who trust in the Lord versus those who rely on manipulation and harm to further their agendas. By describing an individual whose speech is poisoned with cunning and cruelty, the psalmist showcases how words reveal the state of a person’s heart and illustrate the spiritual rebellion beneath the surface (Matthew 12:34).
In biblical literature, wicked speech is a marker of straying from righteous living. “His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression” (v.7) offers a snapshot of a spiritual condition in which the conscience is dulled, and actions follow a pattern of constant rebellion. The psalmist condemns not just the words themselves, but the harm they produce—mischief and wickedness hidden beneath smooth talk. This mirrors other scriptural cautions against the tongue, which, although small, can spark great damage (James 3:6). The repeated reference to “curses” and “deceit” underscores how deliberate wrongdoing is fueled by a heart set against God’s standards of truth.
This verse underscores the disconnect between the outward appearance of confidence and the inward reality of moral decay. “Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness” (v.7) emphasizes that pretense and harmful intent often remain hidden under a façade until given the right moment to emerge. Though no specific geographical locations or historical figures are mentioned in this verse, its universal message speaks to any society or time in which verbal manipulation and injustice flourish. The psalmist urges the faithful to recognize and avoid such behaviors, remembering that ultimately God will hold all people accountable for their words and deeds (Matthew 12:36).
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Psalms 10:7 meaning
When the psalmist says, “His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness” (v.7), he points to the power of words used by the ungodly—words that are hostile, untruthful, and designed to take advantage of others. In Psalm 10, the contrast is drawn between those who trust in the Lord versus those who rely on manipulation and harm to further their agendas. By describing an individual whose speech is poisoned with cunning and cruelty, the psalmist showcases how words reveal the state of a person’s heart and illustrate the spiritual rebellion beneath the surface (Matthew 12:34).
In biblical literature, wicked speech is a marker of straying from righteous living. “His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression” (v.7) offers a snapshot of a spiritual condition in which the conscience is dulled, and actions follow a pattern of constant rebellion. The psalmist condemns not just the words themselves, but the harm they produce—mischief and wickedness hidden beneath smooth talk. This mirrors other scriptural cautions against the tongue, which, although small, can spark great damage (James 3:6). The repeated reference to “curses” and “deceit” underscores how deliberate wrongdoing is fueled by a heart set against God’s standards of truth.
This verse underscores the disconnect between the outward appearance of confidence and the inward reality of moral decay. “Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness” (v.7) emphasizes that pretense and harmful intent often remain hidden under a façade until given the right moment to emerge. Though no specific geographical locations or historical figures are mentioned in this verse, its universal message speaks to any society or time in which verbal manipulation and injustice flourish. The psalmist urges the faithful to recognize and avoid such behaviors, remembering that ultimately God will hold all people accountable for their words and deeds (Matthew 12:36).