Psalm 10:7 describes what comes out of a wicked person’s mouth: cursing, deceit, and oppression, along with hidden plans for harm. The psalmist is describing the speech of a proud, godless man who thinks he will never be held accountable. The verse is part of a lament, a prayer in which the writer brings the problem of injustice before God.
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
Psalm 10:7 (WEB)
What Psalm 10:7 Means
The verse begins with the mouth, the place where a person’s inner life becomes visible. The psalmist says the wicked man’s mouth is “full of cursing,” meaning his words are habitually aimed at harming others. “Deceit” points to words that are false or built to mislead, and “oppression” describes speech used to press down on people who have less power than he does. Taken together, the first half shows a man whose talk is a weapon.
The second half moves from speech to what lies beneath it. The phrase “under his tongue” suggests something hidden, like a poison kept under the tongue, ready to be spoken at the right moment. “Mischief and iniquity” are words for plotting and wrongdoing. The verse does not promise that the wicked will be punished in this sentence. It simply exposes the reality of what he is doing, and the rest of the psalm turns to God as the one who sees and will act.
The Context of Psalm 10:7
Psalm 10 belongs to the book of Psalms, a collection of prayers and songs used by Israel in worship and personal devotion. It is traditionally associated with David, though the psalm itself does not name its author. Its audience is the community of faith, and especially the poor and vulnerable who feel the pressure of powerful people who ignore God.
The verses just before Psalm 10:7 describe the wicked man’s pride and his confidence that God is not paying attention, and the verses after it describe how he hunts the helpless. Read in that setting, the verse is not a random list of bad words. It is a portrait of a man who has convinced himself he is untouchable, and it is part of the psalmist’s argument that God must rise up against such a person.
Key Phrases in Psalm 10:7
James 3:5
So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
(WEB)
James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a great forest on fire. Reading it alongside Psalm 10:7 shows that the danger of destructive speech has long been recognized in Scripture as a serious matter of the heart.
Psalm 12:2
Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
(WEB)
This verse describes lying lips and flattering speech, and it pairs naturally with Psalm 10:7 by showing how deceit runs through the speech of people who oppress others. It also reminds readers that God hears the words spoken in such situations.
A Short Prayer From Psalm 10:7
Lord, you see the words that people speak in public and the plans they hide beneath their tongues. Some of us have been on the receiving end of cursing and deceit, and some of us have been tempted to speak that way ourselves. Guard my mouth from anything that wounds or deceives. Give me courage to speak truth where it is needed, and tenderness toward those who are being pressed down. Keep me close to you when injustice seems to go unpunished, and trust you to act in your time. Amen.
