Psalm 58:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,

NIV: Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

NASB: They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,

CSB: They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,

NLT: They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen,

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

NKJV: Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear,

In the prior verse (Psalm 58:3), David accused certain human authorities (Psalm 58:1–2) of being purposefully wicked. Not only were these men plotting evil, and causing violence, but they were opposed to truth. Their words were lies, but they also made a deliberate effort to ignore what was true, including the will of God. Here, David begins an analogy that captures how insidious this attitude can be. Scripture sometimes compares lies and slander to poison and venom (Psalm 140:1–3; Romans 3:13). A cobra's mouth delivers a venomous bite causing death: a liar delivers poisonous slander causing harm. During the era of Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2; 20:32–33), it's likely his officials said many untrue, evil things about David.

The wicked rulers and judges of Israel did not merely resemble poisonous snakes, such as cobras and adders, but "deaf" serpents. Even worse, this was deliberate deafness. A snake-charmer (Psalm 58:5) plays music to give the impression that he is mesmerizing a snake to stand up and dance. The illusion of snake-charming suggests that the snake listens to the charmer's music and avoids biting. What truly happens is a simple defense mechanism, since snakes perceive sounds differently than humans. David depicts the unjust judges as deadly snakes who metaphorically plug their own ears to ignore the music and lash out with poison.

Vicious lies and hardened sin are characteristics of those still belonging to Satan, whom Jesus described as not standing in the truth. He said "there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). When the Devil tempted Eve, appearing as a serpent (Revelation 20:2), he lied about what God had said. God had told Adam and Eve: "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17). "But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die'" (Genesis 3:4).

Psalm 58:1–5 contains David's accusation of Israel's rulers and judges for their injustice. This was probably written during the rule of King Saul when David was still a fugitive. David indicates that these officials are guilty of injustice and violence. He says that evil originates in their hearts from birth and compares them to poisonous snakes. Further, their sin is deliberate as they purposefully ignore God's will and His goodness.

David begins this psalm with an indictment aimed at Israel's corrupt leaders, likely Israel's rulers and judges. He asks them whether they decree what is right and judge uprightly. He answers his own questions with a resounding "no." He blames them for plotting evil, committing violence, and lying. He portrays them as poisonous snakes. David asks God to destroy them to the point that they quickly vanish from the earth. When God punishes the wicked rulers and judges, the righteous will rejoice and declare that there is a God who rewards the righteous and does what is just.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.