¶ Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
Break {H2040}{H8798)} their teeth {H8127}, O God {H430}, in their mouth {H6310}: break out {H5422}{H8800)} the great teeth {H4459} of the young lions {H3715}, O LORD {H3068}.
God, break their teeth in their mouth! Shatter the fangs of these lions, ADONAI!
O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.
Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Jehovah.
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Psalms 3:7
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies [upon] the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. -
Psalms 17:12
Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. -
Micah 5:8
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. -
Job 4:10
The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. -
Job 4:11
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad. -
Hosea 5:14
For I [will be] unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, [even] I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue [him]. -
Psalms 10:15
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil [man]: seek out his wickedness [till] thou find none.
Psalm 58:6 is a vivid and powerful cry for divine intervention found within an imprecatory psalm. This type of psalm expresses a fervent prayer for God's judgment against the wicked. Here, the psalmist, likely David, appeals directly to God to disarm and neutralize the destructive power of the unrighteous.
Context
Psalm 58 is addressed to those who "speak wickedness" and "weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth" (Psalm 58:2). It describes corrupt and unjust individuals, possibly judges or powerful oppressors, who are inherently evil from birth (Psalm 58:3). The psalmist portrays them as venomous, like a serpent, and deaf to truth or counsel. In this desperate situation, with no apparent human justice, the psalmist turns to God, the ultimate righteous judge, to bring their destructive reign to an end. The plea to "break their teeth" is a metaphor for rendering them utterly powerless to continue their harmful actions.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "teeth" (shin) in this context metaphorically represents the ability to crush, tear, or injure, much like a predator's fangs. The phrase "great teeth" (methalle'ot) specifically refers to the large, tearing teeth of a predator. The "young lions" (kefirim) are a powerful biblical metaphor for strong, ruthless, and dangerous oppressors who prey on the weak and innocent. Therefore, the prayer to "break their teeth" and "break out the great teeth of the young lions" is a request for God to completely incapacitate these powerful, predatory individuals, preventing them from inflicting further harm.
Practical Application
While this verse may sound harsh, it's crucial to understand it as a fervent prayer for divine justice rather than an endorsement of personal vengeance. It provides a voice for those who feel oppressed and reminds believers that God is the ultimate judge who sees and will address all wickedness, even when human systems seem to fail. This psalm encourages us to bring our cries for justice and our deepest frustrations to God. It reinforces faith in God's ultimate control and His commitment to righteousness, offering hope to the oppressed and a reminder that vengeance belongs to the Lord. It points to a future where God will indeed judge the world in righteousness.