All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.
Enemies mock openly: "All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee" (patsu aleikh pihem kol-oyevaikh). The phrase "opened their mouth" (patsu pihem) describes wide-mouthed derision and taunting (Job 16:10, Psalm 22:13, 35:21). "They hiss and gnash the teeth" (sharku vayachreku-shen)—hissing expresses contempt (Job 27:23, Jeremiah 19:8), gnashing teeth shows rage (Psalm 35:16, 37:12, Acts 7:54). "They say, We have swallowed her up" (amru bi'anu). The verb bala (בָּלַע, "swallowed") appears in verses 2, 5—now enemies claim credit for what God did. "Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it" (akh zeh ha-yom shekivinu metsanuhu ra'inu). Enemies celebrate Jerusalem's fall as vindication. This illustrates that while God uses human agents in judgment, they act from wicked motives. God works His purposes through even sinful human actions.
Historical Context
Psalm 137:7 records Edom's mockery: 'Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.' Obadiah 1:12 condemns: 'thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction.' Archaeological evidence suggests Edom may have actively aided Babylon. The phrase 'We have swallowed her up' reveals that enemies saw themselves as victorious powers, not recognizing God's sovereignty. Yet Jeremiah 50-51 and Isaiah 13-14 promise Babylon's eventual destruction. Ezekiel 25-26 pronounces judgment on nations that mocked Judah. God uses wicked nations to judge His people, then judges those nations for their wickedness (Habakkuk 1:5-11, 2:6-20).
Questions for Reflection
How does God's use of wicked nations as judgment instruments (without excusing their wickedness) demonstrate His absolute sovereignty?
What does enemies' mockery teach about how the world misinterprets God's disciplinary actions toward His people?
How should we respond when others celebrate our trials or failures, and how does Romans 12:19-21 guide our response?
Analysis & Commentary
Enemies mock openly: "All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee" (patsu aleikh pihem kol-oyevaikh). The phrase "opened their mouth" (patsu pihem) describes wide-mouthed derision and taunting (Job 16:10, Psalm 22:13, 35:21). "They hiss and gnash the teeth" (sharku vayachreku-shen)—hissing expresses contempt (Job 27:23, Jeremiah 19:8), gnashing teeth shows rage (Psalm 35:16, 37:12, Acts 7:54). "They say, We have swallowed her up" (amru bi'anu). The verb bala (בָּלַע, "swallowed") appears in verses 2, 5—now enemies claim credit for what God did. "Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it" (akh zeh ha-yom shekivinu metsanuhu ra'inu). Enemies celebrate Jerusalem's fall as vindication. This illustrates that while God uses human agents in judgment, they act from wicked motives. God works His purposes through even sinful human actions.