Psalm 58:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter.

NIV: that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.

NASB: So that it does not hear the voice of charmers, Or a skillful caster of spells.

CSB: that does not listen to the sound of the charmers who skillfully weave spells.

NLT: ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play.

KJV: Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

NKJV: Which will not heed the voice of charmers, Charming ever so skillfully.

Continuing his comparison of Israel's wicked rulers and judges (Psalm 58:1–3) to venomous snakes, David expands on the idea that these snakes are "deaf" (Psalm 58:4). But this is a deliberate lack of hearing: they themselves have chosen not to hear what God has to say. Instead of hearing a charmer's music, and acting accordingly, they remain hostile.

Snake-charming is an illusion using a venomous serpent and music. This trick makes it seem as if the charmer's music hypnotizes the snake into obedience, making it safe to handle. Actual snakes perceive sounds differently than people, and at best react to the music with a defense mechanism. In David's symbolism, however, the snakes purposefully ignore the music. These evil human rulers choose to plug their ears to the voice of God, and His will, as they create lies and enact injustice. The later prophet Jeremiah would make similar comments about Israel's enemies (Jeremiah 8:17).

Much human sin is rooted in deliberate rebellion (John 5:39–40). What God reveals (Romans 1:18–20; Psalm 19:1) is often ignored by those who prefer sin and don't want to find truth (Matthew 7:7–8). Jesus admonished His audience: "Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away" (Luke 8:18). Unfortunately, as Paul writes, "The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" (2 Timothy 4:3).

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.

David decries the injustice of wicked rulers and judges, likely during the later years of Saul's reign. David would have been in exile when he wrote this psalm. He prayed for deliverance from wicked leaders and for God's vengeance to be done. This is one of several "imprecatory" psalms which ask God to bring harsh punishment on His enemies.

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.