Psalms 58:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God, break their teeth in their mouth! Shatter the fangs of these lions, ADONAI!

Berean Standard Bible

O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 58:6 is a potent imprecatory prayer, a fervent plea to God to dismantle the power of the wicked. Through vivid, predatory imagery, the psalmist implores the Almighty to render oppressors utterly powerless, likening their destructive capacity to the tearing teeth of lions. This verse encapsulates a deep cry for divine justice against those who pervert righteousness and inflict harm, expressing a profound trust that God alone possesses the authority and might to neutralize entrenched evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 58 belongs to a category known as imprecatory psalms, which are prayers calling for God's judgment upon the wicked. It opens with a direct challenge to those who "speak wickedness" and "weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth" ([Psalms 58:2](/psalms/58-2 "Psalm 58:2 - The Wicked Pervert Justice")). The preceding verses describe the inherent corruption of these individuals, stating they are "estranged from the womb" and "speak lies" ([Psalms 58:3](/psalms/58-3 "Psalm 58:3 - Wicked from Birth")). The psalmist further characterizes them as venomous, like a serpent, and deaf to truth or counsel ([Psalms 58:4-5](/psalms/58-4 "Psalm 58:4-5 - The Wicked Like a Serpent")). This sets the stage for the desperate plea in verse 6, where, having exhausted human avenues for justice, the psalmist turns to God as the ultimate righteous Judge, imploring Him to bring an end to their destructive reign. The psalm concludes with a confident assertion that the righteous will rejoice when they see God's vengeance and that there is indeed a God who judges on earth ([Psalms 58:10-11](/psalms/58-10 "Psalm 58:10-11 - The Righteous Rejoice in God's Justice")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "lions" and "breaking teeth" draws from the ancient Near Eastern understanding of predatory power and the vulnerability of the weak. In many ancient cultures, lions symbolized formidable, destructive power, often associated with oppressive rulers or enemies. The "teeth" represent the capacity to consume, destroy, and inflict pain. The "wicked" addressed in this psalm could be corrupt judges, oppressive rulers, or powerful individuals who pervert justice within the community, exploiting the vulnerable without consequence. In a society where human justice systems might be compromised or ineffective, the only recourse for the oppressed was to appeal to the divine Judge. This psalm reflects a common lament from those suffering under injustice, seeking divine intervention where human systems have failed, a theme echoed in other laments and prophetic condemnations of injustice throughout the Old Testament.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 58:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice**, serving as a passionate appeal for God to execute righteous judgment against those who pervert justice and cause harm. It highlights the deeply held belief that God sees all injustice and will ultimately intervene, even when human systems fail, as seen in [Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges the World in Righteousness"). Secondly, the imagery of "breaking teeth" powerfully conveys the theme of **Curbing Evil's Power**, signifying the disarming of the wicked and stripping them of their ability to "devour" or oppress the innocent. It is a prayer for their destructive capability to be neutralized, reflecting God's commitment to protecting the vulnerable, a concept found in [Psalm 10:15](/psalms/10-15 "Psalm 10:15 - Break the Arm of the Wicked"). Lastly, the psalmist's direct appeal to God acknowledges **God's Sovereignty over Evil**, recognizing that only God possesses the ultimate authority and power to confront and overcome entrenched wickedness, even when human systems of justice prove inadequate or corrupt, as emphasized in [Psalm 7:9](/psalms/7-9 "Psalm 7:9 - Let the Evil of the Wicked End").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Teeth (Hebrew, _shinnayim'_):** The Hebrew word שִׁנַּיִם (*shinnayim*), plural of שֵׁן (*shen*), literally means "teeth." In this context, it functions metaphorically to represent the capacity for destruction, harm, and devouring. Just as a predator uses its teeth to seize and tear its prey, the wicked use their power, influence, and malicious intent to oppress and destroy the innocent. The prayer to "break their teeth" is a vivid petition for God to render them utterly incapable of inflicting further injury or consuming the vulnerable.
* **Great Teeth (Hebrew, _malt'ot'_):** The Hebrew term מַלְתְּעוֹת (*malt'ot*), often translated as "great teeth," refers specifically to the molars or fangs—the most powerful and destructive teeth of a predator. This intensifies the imagery, not merely asking for a general disarming, but for the neutralization of their most potent means of attack. It emphasizes the psalmist's desire for the complete and decisive incapacitation of the oppressors' most formidable instruments of harm.
* **Young Lions (Hebrew, _kefirim'_):** The Hebrew word כְּפִירִים (*kefirim*), plural of כְּפִיר (*kefir*), refers to "young lions." In biblical literature, lions are a common metaphor for powerful, ruthless, and dangerous adversaries or oppressors who prey on the weak and innocent (e.g., [Psalm 17:12](/psalms/17-12 "Psalm 17:12 - The Wicked Like a Ravenous Lion")). The addition of "young" often implies vigor, ferocity, and untamed strength. By likening the wicked to "young lions," the psalmist underscores their predatory nature, their unbridled aggression, and their formidable threat to the righteous, intensifying the urgency and desperation of the plea for divine intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth":** This opening clause is a direct, impassioned plea to God. The imperative "Break" (הֲרֹס, *haros*) is forceful, indicating a desire for decisive and destructive action against the oppressors. "Their teeth" refers to the metaphorical instruments of their wickedness—their power to harm, exploit, and consume. The phrase "in their mouth" emphasizes the immediate and personal nature of their destructive capacity, rooted in their very being and actions. The psalmist is not merely asking for their plans to be thwarted, but for the very means of their aggression to be shattered.
* **"break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.":** This second clause functions as a powerful parallel to the first, intensifying the imagery and reinforcing the request. "Break out" (נְתֹשׁ, *netosh*) is a strong verb, meaning to uproot or tear out, suggesting a complete and violent removal. The shift from "their teeth" to "the great teeth of the young lions" makes the metaphor explicit, identifying the oppressors with ferocious, predatory beasts. The "great teeth" (molars/fangs) highlight their most dangerous and effective tools of destruction. The address to "O LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) underscores the psalmist's appeal to God's covenant name, invoking His personal, powerful, and faithful character as the one who hears and acts on behalf of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 58:6 employs several impactful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the wicked are implicitly compared to "young lions" whose "teeth" represent their destructive power and capacity for oppression. The act of "breaking" or "breaking out" their teeth is a metaphor for rendering them utterly powerless and incapable of inflicting further harm. This vivid imagery immediately conjures a sense of vulnerability on the part of the oppressed and a desperate need for a stronger force to intervene. The psalm also utilizes **Imprecation**, which is a prayer or curse invoking divine punishment upon enemies. While seemingly harsh, this is a legitimate form of prayer in the Old Testament, expressing a profound cry for justice when human systems fail, rather than a call for personal vengeance. Furthermore, there is clear **Synonymous Parallelism** between the two clauses of the verse: "Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth" and "break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD." Both phrases express the same core petition—for God to disarm the wicked—but the second clause amplifies and makes explicit the predatory nature of the oppressors, reinforcing the intensity of the psalmist's plea.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 58:6 stands as a profound testament to the biblical understanding of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness over evil. It articulates a deep-seated human longing for God to intervene when injustice seems to prevail, affirming that God is not indifferent to the suffering of the oppressed. This imprecatory prayer, while strong in its language, channels righteous indignation into a plea for God's sovereign action rather than personal retribution. It reflects a core theological conviction that God is the supreme Judge who will ultimately hold the wicked accountable and vindicate the righteous. The imagery of disarming the wicked underscores God's power to neutralize all forms of evil, ensuring that their destructive capacity will not endure indefinitely. This perspective provides hope for those who suffer under oppression, reminding them that their cries for justice are heard by a God who is both mighty and just.

* [Psalm 7:9](/psalms/7-9 "Psalm 7:9 - Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous")
* [Psalm 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the peoples with equity")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 58:6, though challenging in its directness, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It provides a legitimate avenue for expressing the deep anguish and righteous indignation we feel when confronted with pervasive injustice, corruption, and oppression in the world. Rather than succumbing to despair or resorting to personal vengeance, this psalm teaches us to direct our cries for justice to the ultimate Judge—God Himself. It reminds us that God sees all wickedness, hears the cries of the oppressed, and will, in His perfect timing and manner, bring about justice. This verse encourages us to cultivate a robust faith in God's sovereignty over evil, trusting that He alone has the power to disarm those who seek to harm and destroy. It calls us to pray boldly for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth, even if that means praying for the neutralization of destructive forces, always aligning our prayers with God's righteous character and ultimate purposes for redemption and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the nature of imprecatory psalms help us process feelings of anger or frustration when faced with injustice?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to take "justice" into our own hands, and how does this psalm redirect our focus to God's ultimate authority?**
* **What specific injustices in our world today might prompt us to pray a prayer for divine intervention similar to Psalms 58:6?**
* **How does our trust in God as the ultimate Judge shape our response to suffering and evil around us?**

### FAQ
**Are imprecatory psalms like Psalms 58:6 expressions of personal vengeance?**

Answer: No, imprecatory psalms are not endorsements of personal vengeance. Instead, they are fervent prayers to God, the righteous Judge, to execute His justice against the wicked. The psalmist is not taking matters into his own hands but is appealing to God's sovereign authority and power to intervene where human justice has failed or is absent. This aligns with New Testament teachings that explicitly forbid personal revenge, such as [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord"), which states, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." The psalmist's prayer is an act of faith, entrusting the outcome to God's perfect righteousness and timing, rather than seeking to inflict harm himself.

**How do the harsh images in Psalms 58:6 reconcile with the New Testament's emphasis on love for enemies?**

Answer: The reconciliation lies in understanding the different contexts and purposes. The Old Testament imprecations often reflect a deep cry for divine justice in a covenantal context where God is seen as actively intervening in history to uphold righteousness and punish evil. They are prayers for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done, which includes the defeat of evil. While the New Testament emphasizes love for enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), this does not negate God's ultimate role as judge. Jesus Himself speaks of judgment ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")), and the New Testament also contains prophecies of divine wrath against unrepentant evil ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). The love commanded in the New Testament is for individuals, urging them to seek reconciliation and transformation. However, it does not imply that God will never judge or that evil will go unpunished. Imprecatory psalms give voice to the righteous indignation against systemic evil and a longing for God's ultimate justice, which is a consistent theme throughout all of Scripture.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 58:6, with its visceral plea for God to "break the teeth" of the wicked, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist prayed for the incapacitation of earthly oppressors, Christ's mission was to disarm the spiritual forces of evil that truly enslave humanity. The "young lions" of this psalm, representing formidable adversaries, are ultimately defeated by the [Lion of the Tribe of Judah](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah"), Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Christ decisively "broke the teeth" of sin, death, and the devil, rendering them powerless over those who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). The psalmist's cry for divine justice is answered in Christ, who is appointed by God as the ultimate Judge of the living and the dead ([Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - Jesus Appointed Judge")). His first coming inaugurated the defeat of evil, and His second coming will bring about the full and final judgment of all wickedness, when every oppressor will be silenced and every injustice rectified. Thus, the longing for God to curb evil's power, expressed so powerfully in Psalms 58:6, is not merely a historical prayer but a prophetic anticipation of Christ's triumph over all hostile powers, establishing His eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace ([1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ Must Reign Until He Has Put All His Enemies Under His Feet")).

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.