Their poison [is] like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder [that] stoppeth her ear;
Their poison {H2534} is like {H1823} the poison {H2534} of a serpent {H5175}: they are like the deaf {H2795} adder {H6620} that stoppeth {H331}{H8686)} her ear {H241};
Their venom is like snake's venom; they are like a serpent that stops its ears,
Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear,
-
Psalms 140:3
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison [is] under their lips. Selah. -
Ecclesiastes 10:11
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. -
James 3:8
But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. -
Isaiah 11:8
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. -
Matthew 3:7
¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? -
Romans 3:13
Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: -
Jeremiah 8:17
For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which [will] not [be] charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
Psalms 58:4 vividly describes the character of the wicked, particularly those who pervert justice, using two powerful animal metaphors to illustrate their destructive nature and stubborn resistance to truth.
Context
Psalm 58 is a fervent lament by David, crying out against unjust rulers or wicked individuals who abuse their power and pervert justice. The psalm opens with David challenging these corrupt figures (verse 1) and then exposes their inherent wickedness, which he asserts was present from birth (verse 3). Verse 4, therefore, serves to further characterize these individuals, emphasizing both the venomous impact of their actions and their deliberate refusal to heed any form of wisdom or correction.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "poison" here is chemah (חֵמָה), which often carries connotations of "venom," "wrath," or "fury." It implies not just a physical toxin but a destructive, burning anger or malice that issues forth from the wicked. The phrase "deaf adder" translates from pethen cherêsh (פֶתֶן חֵרֵשׁ). A pethen is a type of cobra, known in ancient lore for its ability to supposedly "stop its ears" to the charmer's music, a metaphorical act of self-imposed deafness. This emphasizes that their unwillingness to hear is not a natural defect but a deliberate, stubborn act of resistance to divine or human persuasion.
Related Scriptures
The metaphor of the serpent's poison recalls the ancient deceit of the serpent in Eden, whose words brought spiritual death. Similarly, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, calling them a "generation of vipers," highlighting their destructive and deceptive nature. The concept of a willful refusal to hear is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in Jeremiah 5:21, where God laments, "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not." This spiritual deafness is a hallmark of those who despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
Practical Application
This verse serves as a powerful warning and a call to self-examination. We are reminded of the devastating impact of malicious words and actions, whether in personal relationships or in positions of authority. It also challenges us to consider our own openness to truth and correction. Do we, like the deaf adder, willfully shut our ears to inconvenient truths or wise counsel? The psalm ultimately trusts in God's ultimate justice, reminding us that while the wicked may flourish for a time, their true nature is exposed, and God will ultimately judge their perversion of justice.