Psalm 58:4

Translations

Modern

Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,

Traditional

Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

Literal

Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ear,

Latin

Furor illis secundum similitudinem serpentis, sicut aspidis surdæ et obturantis aures suas,

Original

Hebrew

English

Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,

Notes

Psalms 58:4

Venom here means harmful speech (see Psalm 140:3).

Psalms 58:1–5

The administrators of justice were furthering their own interests rather than those of the needy. The absence of justice gradually resulted in a violent society.

Psalms 58:1–11

The administration of justice is a mark of good government. God expects nothing less from his people. The psalmist condemns Israel’s leaders for abusing their power, and he calls on the Lord to rain down his curses upon the wicked. The demonstration of divine justice will reassure the godly that God is just.

Psalms 51:1–65:13

These psalms of David share a common theme. They reflect on the experience of evil. In Psalm 51, the psalmist admits his wrongdoing and asks for God's forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 express sorrow over specific evils David faced. A song of praise (Psalm 65) brings David's laments to an end.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Related verses

James 3:8
…but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”
Ecclesiastes 10:11
If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
Jeremiah 8:17
“For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.
Job 20:14
…yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him.
Isaiah 11:8
The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest.
Deuteronomy 32:33
Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.
Matthew 3:7
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Matthew 23:33
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?
Job 20:16
He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.

Glossary

Al-Taschith David Michtam Miktam Music Psalms, Book of Serpent

Topics

Adder Asp of Obstinate Rejecters of God's Word Adder: A Venomous Serpent Charmers and Charming of Serpents Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Reptiles: Adder or Asp Serpent: The Charming of Serpent: Venom of Serpents: Many Kinds of Poisonous The Ear of the Wicked: Stopped Against God's Word The Wicked are Compared to Deaf Adders The Wicked are Compared to Serpents Wicked (People): Compared With: Deaf Adders Wicked (People): Compared With: Serpents Wicked (People): Described

Psalm 58:4

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