The enemies ask this question to embolden themselves in wickedness by asserting their belief that God neither hears nor will hold them accountable, revealing the practical atheism underlying their violent intentions.

God responds with laughter and derision toward the enemies’ challenge, holding all the nations in derision and demonstrating His supreme power over their threats (Psalm 59:8). David expresses confidence that God will let him look in triumph on his enemies (Psalm 59:10).

The enemies’ question reveals the spiritual blindness underlying their violence. They belch out blasphemous words, the Hebrew naba suggesting an uncontrolled gushing forth of evil speech, with swords in their lips indicating words weaponized for destruction. Their rhetorical question ‘Who will hear?’ expresses practical atheism, not theoretical denial of God’s existence but functional denial of His attention and involvement. They choose a question rather than a statement to reinforce their confidence among themselves, each reassuring the others that their violence operates beyond divine surveillance. The theological weight is profound: this question exposes the fundamental delusion of the wicked who imagine themselves beyond accountability, a delusion God will shatter with His laughter and ultimate judgment.