Psalms 57:4

KJV

My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

KJV (with Strong's)

My soul {H5315} is among {H8432} lions {H3833}: and I lie {H7901}{H8799)} even among them that are set on fire {H3857}{H8802)}, even the sons {H1121} of men {H120}, whose teeth {H8127} are spears {H2595} and arrows {H2671}, and their tongue {H3956} a sharp {H2299} sword {H2719}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am surrounded by lions, I am lying down among people breathing fire, men whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongues sharp-edged swords.

Berean Standard Bible

My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

American Standard Version

My soul is among lions; I lie among them that are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 57:4 vividly portrays David's perilous existence and the malevolent nature of his adversaries. He describes his innermost being as being surrounded by savage, predatory forces, likened to ferocious lions, and by individuals consumed by destructive rage, as if "set on fire." These enemies, though human, wield words and actions as lethal weapons, their accusations and slander piercing like spears and arrows, and cutting with the precision and deadliness of a sharp sword, underscoring the intense spiritual, psychological, and relational warfare he endured.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 57 is designated as a "Michtam of David," a term suggesting a psalm of deep reflection, possibly for instruction or a protective quality, set "when he fled from Saul in the cave." This superscription directly connects the psalm to the historical narratives found in [1 Samuel 22](/1_samuel/22 "1 Samuel 22 - David at Adullam") or [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"), where David, though divinely anointed as king, is a hunted fugitive relentlessly pursued by a jealous and irrational King Saul. The psalm commences with an urgent plea for divine mercy and refuge "under the shadow of [God's] wings" ([Psalm 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalm 57:1 - David's Plea for Mercy")), establishing a profound contrast between the overwhelming danger articulated in verse 4 and David's unwavering trust in God's ultimate protection. Verse 4 serves as the raw, visceral articulation of the existential threat from which David desperately seeks deliverance, setting the stage for his subsequent declarations of resolute trust and his commitment to praise God despite his dire circumstances ([Psalm 57:7-11](/psalms/57-7 "Psalm 57:7-11 - David's Resolve to Praise God")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's period of flight from King Saul represents a prolonged and precarious chapter in his life, marked by constant evasion and hiding in the wilderness strongholds and caves of Judah. The imagery of "lions" is particularly resonant within the ancient Near Eastern context, where lions were not merely symbolic but a real and terrifying threat in the wild, embodying untamed, predatory power and imminent danger. The phrase "sons of men" clarifies that David's persecutors are not literal beasts but human adversaries, intensifying the poignancy of the betrayal and malice he experiences from his own kind. The "spears and arrows" and "sharp sword" are direct references to the common weaponry of the era, yet here they are employed metaphorically to depict the devastating power of words. In a society where honor, reputation, and social standing were paramount, slander, false accusations, and malicious gossip could inflict damage as profound and far-reaching as physical wounds, leading to social ostracism, economic ruin, or even a death sentence.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 57:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and biblical theology. Firstly, it vividly underscores the theme of **intense persecution and suffering of the righteous**. David, despite his innocence and divine anointing, faces relentless and malicious opposition, highlighting the sobering reality that faithfulness to God does not exempt one from profound hardship and hostility in a fallen world. Secondly, the verse masterfully portrays the **destructive power of malicious speech and slander**. By depicting the enemies' "teeth" and "tongue" as lethal weapons, David emphasizes that verbal assaults can inflict deep psychological and social wounds, destroy reputations, and incite violence, a theme frequently echoed in wisdom literature such as [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of the Tongue") and expounded upon in the New Testament by [James 3:6](/james/3-6 "James 3:6 - The Tongue as a Fire"). Finally, by juxtaposing this profound and terrifying threat with David's subsequent expressions of unwavering trust and determined praise, the psalm develops the crucial theme of **God as a secure refuge and deliverer** amidst overwhelming danger, demonstrating that even when surrounded by the most savage and destructive adversaries, hope and salvation are ultimately found in the Lord's unfailing mercy and faithfulness ([Psalm 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalm 57:1 - David's Plea for Mercy") and [Psalm 57:7](/psalms/57-7 "Psalm 57:7 - David's Heart is Steadfast")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lions (Hebrew, _lâbîyʼ'_):** This term (H3833) refers to a lion, specifically noting that it can denote a lioness as the fiercer of the species. In Scripture, lions are frequently used metaphorically to represent powerful, ruthless, and destructive adversaries. David's use of this imagery conveys not only the physical threat but also the savage, relentless, and devouring intent of his enemies, suggesting they seek to tear him apart and consume his very life or reputation. The ferocity implied by the term underscores the extreme danger and the predatory nature of his persecutors.
* **Set on fire (Hebrew, _lâhaṭ'_):** This word (H3857) is a primitive root meaning "to lick" and, by implication, "to blaze" or "to burn." When applied to David's enemies, it vividly suggests individuals consumed by intense rage, malice, or destructive passion. Their words and actions are depicted as having a fiery, consuming quality, aiming to inflict pain, ignite conflict, spread destruction, or consume David with their intense hostility. It speaks to the burning hatred and destructive intent that characterizes his persecutors.
* **Tongue (Hebrew, _lâshôwn'_):** The Hebrew word (H3956) literally means "tongue," referring to the organ of speech. However, in this context, it is a potent metonymy for speech, words, and communication itself. By describing it as a "sharp sword," David highlights the cutting, piercing, and potentially lethal nature of verbal assaults. This emphasizes that his enemies' primary weapons are not merely physical but also verbal—slander, false accusations, curses, and malicious gossip—which can inflict deep psychological, social, and spiritual wounds, just as a sword inflicts physical ones.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My soul [is] among lions:"** David expresses a profound sense of existential threat and vulnerability. His "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_), representing his very being, life force, and inner self, is depicted as being surrounded by savage, predatory forces. This metaphor vividly conveys the feeling of being utterly exposed to overwhelming danger, as if at any moment he could be torn apart or devoured by ruthless adversaries. It speaks to a deep, internal sense of being hunted and imperiled.
* **"[and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire,"** This clause introduces another powerful metaphor for David's enemies. "Them that are set on fire" (from the root לָהַט, _lâhaṭ_, meaning "to burn, to blaze") suggests individuals consumed by intense rage, malice, or destructive passion. Their words and actions are like "fiery darts" that aim to inflict pain, ignite conflict, spread destruction, or consume David with their intense hostility. It speaks to the burning hatred and destructive intent of his persecutors, suggesting an unquenchable desire to harm him.
* **"[even] the sons of men,"** This phrase clarifies that the "lions" and "them that are set on fire" are not literal beasts or abstract forces, but human beings. This makes the threat even more poignant and insidious, as the betrayal, cruelty, and relentless pursuit come from fellow humans, underscoring the capacity for profound malevolence within humanity and the deep pain of being persecuted by one's own kind. It highlights the personal and relational nature of the attacks.
* **"whose teeth [are] spears and arrows,"** Here, David employs a vivid simile to describe the destructive nature of his enemies' verbal attacks. Their "teeth," typically used for biting and tearing, are likened to "spears and arrows"—weapons designed for piercing, wounding, and killing from a distance. This imagery powerfully conveys the aggressive, biting, and injurious nature of their words, suggesting sharp, penetrating accusations and attacks that aim to inflict deep and lasting harm, even from afar.
* **"and their tongue a sharp sword."** This final clause culminates the imagery of verbal assault. The "tongue," representing speech, is directly equated with a "sharp sword"—a weapon renowned for its cutting, piercing, and deadly efficacy. This metaphor emphasizes the precision, deadliness, and destructive power of the enemies' slander, falsehoods, and malicious words, which cut to the core, destroy reputations, and aim to bring about David's downfall or death with surgical precision.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 57:4 is exceptionally rich in **Metaphor** and **Simile**, creating a vivid and visceral portrayal of David's profound peril. The primary **Metaphor** is the direct comparison of his enemies to "lions" and "them that are set on fire," immediately conveying their predatory, savage, and destructive nature without using "like" or "as." This intensifies the sense of immediate, life-threatening danger and the consuming nature of their malice. The verse then transitions to **Simile** when describing the enemies' verbal weapons: their "teeth [are] spears and arrows" and their "tongue a sharp sword." These comparisons use the implied "are like" to draw explicit parallels between physical weapons and the devastating, piercing, and cutting impact of their words. The verse also employs **Personification**, attributing the actions or qualities of inanimate, lethal objects (spears, arrows, sword) to human body parts (teeth, tongue), further emphasizing the active, malicious intent and the direct, personal nature of the verbal assaults. The cumulative effect of these devices is to paint a powerful and disturbing picture of overwhelming, relentless, and deeply personal persecution, where words become as lethal and destructive as any physical weapon.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound testament to the reality of spiritual and verbal warfare that believers can face. David's experience of being surrounded by "lions" and "fiery" adversaries, whose words are weapons, echoes the broader biblical theme that the righteous often suffer at the hands of the wicked. It highlights the insidious nature of slander, false accusations, and malicious gossip, demonstrating that verbal assaults can be as destructive as physical violence, capable of tearing down reputations, relationships, and even one's sense of self. The theological implication is that God's people are not immune to such attacks, but the psalm's broader context reminds us that God is a secure refuge and deliverer even in the face of such overwhelming hostility, calling us to seek His shelter and trust in His ultimate vindication.

* [Psalm 64:3](/psalms/64-3 "Psalm 64:3 - Enemies Sharpen Their Tongue Like a Sword")
* [Proverbs 12:18](/proverbs/12-18 "Proverbs 12:18 - Reckless Words Pierce Like a Sword")
* [Jeremiah 9:8](/jeremiah/9-8 "Jeremiah 9:8 - Their Tongue is a Deadly Arrow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 57:4 offers a stark and timeless mirror to the human experience of persecution, betrayal, and the devastating impact of malicious speech. In an age where digital platforms amplify words and where reputations can be shattered with a single post, rumor, or false accusation, David's ancient lament resonates with chilling relevance. This verse calls us to profound empathy for those who feel surrounded by hostility, whether it be from workplace gossip, social ostracism, cyberbullying, or spiritual attacks. It reminds us of the immense responsibility we bear with our own words, challenging us to consider whether our tongues are instruments of life or death, healing or harm, building up or tearing down. Furthermore, it encourages us, when we find ourselves in David's position—feeling surrounded by those whose words are weapons—to recognize the true nature of the opposition, often human but fueled by a deeper malice. It calls us to remember that our ultimate refuge and vindication lie not in retaliation or self-defense, but in the steadfast character of God, who sees, hears, and ultimately delivers His faithful ones.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways have you experienced or witnessed the "teeth" and "tongue" of others acting as "spears and arrows" or a "sharp sword" in your own life or community?**
* **How does David's vivid description of his enemies help you to identify and understand the nature of spiritual, emotional, or relational attacks you might be facing?**
* **Considering the destructive power of words highlighted in this verse, what practical steps can you take to better guard your own tongue and actively contribute to a culture of life-giving, edifying speech?**

### FAQ
**Does "set on fire" imply that David's enemies were literally burning?**

Answer: No, the phrase "them that are set on fire" (from the Hebrew root _lâhaṭ_, meaning "to burn" or "to blaze") is a powerful metaphor, not a literal description. It conveys that David's enemies were inflamed with intense rage, malice, or destructive passion. Their words and actions were like "fiery darts" that aimed to inflict pain, ignite conflict, and spread destruction, similar to the "fiery darts of the wicked one" mentioned in [Ephesians 6:16](/ephesians/6-16 "Ephesians 6:16 - The Shield of Faith Against Fiery Darts"). It speaks to the burning hatred and destructive intent that characterized their persecution of David, emphasizing their consuming desire to harm him.

**How does this verse relate to other biblical passages about the tongue?**

Answer: Psalm 57:4's vivid imagery of the tongue as a "sharp sword" connects strongly with numerous other biblical passages that warn about the destructive power of speech. For instance, [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Death and Life in the Power of the Tongue") famously states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Similarly, [James 3:6](/james/3-6 "James 3:6 - The Tongue as a Fire") describes the tongue as "a fire, a world of iniquity... it sets on fire the course of nature, and it is itself set on fire by hell." These passages collectively underscore the profound spiritual and practical impact of words, emphasizing their capacity to either build up or tear down, to heal or to wound, and to bring either life or destruction. David's experience in this psalm serves as a poignant illustration of this destructive potential.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 57:4 powerfully describes David's personal suffering and the verbal assaults he endured, it finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and experience of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the true Son of David and the perfect righteous sufferer, perfectly embodied the one surrounded by "lions" and "those set on fire." He faced relentless verbal persecution, false accusations, and slander from the religious leaders of His day, whose "tongues" were indeed "sharp swords" ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59-60 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")). He was betrayed by those close to Him ([John 13:21](/john/13-21 "John 13:21 - Jesus Predicts His Betrayal")), mocked and reviled by the crowds ([Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Jesus Mocked on the Cross")), and ultimately crucified by the "sons of men" who sought His utter destruction. Unlike David, who sometimes took matters into his own hands, Jesus perfectly endured this onslaught, committing Himself to the One who judges justly ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). His suffering, which included profound verbal abuse, betrayal, and the piercing of His body, was not for His own sin but for the sins of humanity, culminating in His decisive victory over the spiritual "lions" and the "fiery darts" of the enemy on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Thus, Psalm 57:4 foreshadows the ultimate persecution of the innocent Lamb of God, whose triumph brings deliverance, refuge, and eternal life to all who trust in Him ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 58:6

¶ Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

Proverbs 30:14

[There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.

Psalms 35:17

¶ Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

Psalms 55:21

[The words] of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war [was] in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet [were] they drawn swords.

Psalms 64:3

Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words:

Proverbs 12:18

¶ There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.

Psalms 52:2

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.