Mazmur 73:9

73:9 They speak as if they rule in heaven,

and lay claim to the earth. ¹ 

Mazmur 74:22-23

74:22 Rise up, O God! Defend your honor! ² 

Remember how fools insult you all day long! ³ 

74:23 Do not disregard ⁴  what your enemies say, ⁵ 

or the unceasing shouts of those who defy you. ⁶ 

[73:9]  ¹ tn Heb “they set in heaven their mouth, and their tongue walks through the earth.” The meaning of the text is uncertain. Perhaps the idea is that they lay claim to heaven (i.e., speak as if they were ruling in heaven) and move through the earth declaring their superiority and exerting their influence. Some take the preposition -בְּ (bet) the first line as adversative and translate, “they set their mouth against heaven,” that is, they defy God.

[74:22]  ² tn Or “defend your cause.”

[74:22]  ³ tn Heb “remember your reproach from a fool all the day.”

[74:23]  ⁴ tn Or “forget.”

[74:23]  ⁵ tn Heb “the voice of your enemies.”

[74:23]  ⁶ tn Heb “the roar of those who rise up against you, which ascends continually.”