They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
The verse belongs to David's reflection on the prosperity of the wicked, set within a passage describing their apparent prosperity and arrogance. Seeing them prosper while he himself faltered tempted David to doubt God, but the cause lay in his own separation from God and not in God's abandonment of him. It portrays corrupt, proud people, lifted up with pride as with a chain, who scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression and speak arrogantly and loftily. Those who seek riches and power for themselves trample on human rights and disregard divine authority. This stands in contrast with the integrity required of those serving God, since dishonesty and corrupt habits degrade character and lead people further into wrongdoing.
Riches and worldly honor can pour in even while a person is violating a plain command of the Lord, as when Solomon brought abundance of the gold of Ophir and the silver of Tarshish into the kingdom, and such temporary worldly prosperity is no token of God's favor and no assurance of divine approval. Their success is temporary; their work will not abide but ends in disappointment and misery. Those who esteem their own wisdom above the wisdom of the Lord, like Solomon, may for a time seem greatly blessed and prospered, but they will pass through bitter experiences to learn that real prosperity comes not by outward display but only by conformity to God's will and purpose.
The verse belongs to David's reflection on the prosperity of the wicked, set within a passage describing their apparent prosperity and arrogance. Seeing them prosper while he himself faltered tempted David to doubt God, but the cause lay in his own separation from God and not in God's abandonment of him. It portrays corrupt, proud people, lifted up with pride as with a chain, who scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression and speak arrogantly and loftily. Those who seek riches and power for themselves trample on human rights and disregard divine authority. This stands in contrast with the integrity required of those serving God, since dishonesty and corrupt habits degrade character and lead people further into wrongdoing.
Riches and worldly honor can pour in even while a person is violating a plain command of the Lord, as when Solomon brought abundance of the gold of Ophir and the silver of Tarshish into the kingdom, and such temporary worldly prosperity is no token of God's favor and no assurance of divine approval. Their success is temporary; their work will not abide but ends in disappointment and misery. Those who esteem their own wisdom above the wisdom of the Lord, like Solomon, may for a time seem greatly blessed and prospered, but they will pass through bitter experiences to learn that real prosperity comes not by outward display but only by conformity to God's will and purpose.