They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.
They set their mouth against the heavens. Against God himself they aim their blasphemies. One would think, to hear them, that they were demigods themselves, and held their heads above the clouds, for they speak down upon other men as from a sublime elevation peculiar to themselves. Yet they might let God alone, for their pride will make them enemies enough without their defying him.
The psalmist battles carnal reason itself, contending against what the eye sees: the wicked gorged in wealth and pleasure while mocking God, and the righteous crushed under troubles. He nearly cast off all care for religion at this sight. But he reproves his own rashness in judging from the present state alone, and learns that when God's providence runs its course as He has determined in secret counsel, the righteous will not be cheated of their reward, nor the wicked escape the judge.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 73:1-28
He had been brooding on the wicked's prosperity until the fire burned in him; then he checked himself: Yet God is good. That word settled him. We must anchor ourselves to truths that cannot be shaken, His goodness, His justice, His holiness, and believe that all His ways, though we cannot now trace them, stand firm upon these rocks.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 73:1-14