They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
Parallel translations
- KJV They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
- BSB They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
- NKJV They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; They speak loftily.
- NASB They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.
- NLT They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
They scoff and speak with malice, arrogantly threatening to oppress others.
Overview
The wicked use their words to mock, to wound, and to menace the weak. Their speech reveals hearts hardened by pride. This portrait of arrogant, oppressive talk stands in sharp contrast to the humble and the pure in heart whom God blesses, and underscores why God's judgment is just.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Jude 1:16These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.
- Ps 17:10They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.
- Ps 10:2In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise.
- Ps 10:10–11The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength.
- Ps 12:4–5who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?”
- Ps 53:1–4For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Mahalath.” A contemplation by David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good.
- 2 Pet 2:18For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;
- Prov 30:13–14There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.
- Jer 7:9–11Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods that you have not known,
- 2 Pet 2:10but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;
- 1 Kgs 21:7–29Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let your heart be merry. I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
- 1 Sam 13:19Now there was no blacksmith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears”;
- Exod 1:9–10He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.
- Hos 7:16They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 73:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.