Psalms 58:8

As a snail [which] melteth, let [every one of them] pass away: [like] the untimely birth of a woman, [that] they may not see the sun.

As a snail {H7642} which melteth {H8557}, let every one of them pass away {H1980}{H8799)}: like the untimely birth {H5309} of a woman {H802}, that they may not see {H2372}{H8804)} the sun {H8121}.

May they be like a slug that melts as it moves, like a stillborn baby that never sees the sun.

Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun.

Let them beas a snail which melteth and passeth away, Likethe untimely birth of a woman, that hath not seen the sun.

Context of Psalms 58:8

Psalm 58 is an imprecatory psalm, a fervent prayer from the psalmist (traditionally David) calling upon God to execute swift and decisive judgment against wicked and corrupt authorities. The preceding verses vividly describe the depravity of these unjust rulers, who speak lies from birth (Psalm 58:3) and are compared to venomous serpents (Psalm 58:4). In this context, verse 8 is part of a series of dramatic petitions for their utter destruction, reflecting a deep cry for divine justice in the face of pervasive evil and oppression. It’s a powerful expression of faith that God will ultimately right all wrongs and vindicate the righteous.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The primary theme is the psalmist's plea for God to act as the ultimate Judge, bringing an end to the wicked's influence. The graphic imagery serves to emphasize the desire for a complete and irreversible cessation of their evil deeds and their very existence as a threat. This speaks to the belief that God judges the world in righteousness.
  • The Fragility and Futility of Wickedness: The verse uses two stark analogies to illustrate the desired fate of the wicked:
    • "As a snail [which] melteth": This imagery refers to the visible trail of slime left by a snail, which appears to diminish or "melt away" as it moves, especially under adverse conditions. It symbolizes a gradual, yet complete and inevitable, dissolution and disappearance, leaving nothing substantial behind.
    • "Like the untimely birth of a woman, [that] they may not see the sun": This refers to a miscarriage or stillbirth. Such a birth never fully develops, never experiences life, light, or the world. It signifies non-existence, utter futility, and a lack of impact or legacy. This is a powerful curse, wishing for the wicked to be as if they never truly lived or achieved anything.
  • Justice for the Oppressed: Underlying the imprecation is a profound longing for justice and the vindication of those who suffer under the wicked. The psalmist trusts that God will not allow evil to prevail indefinitely, and that His righteous judgment will ultimately bring relief and peace to His people (Psalm 58:11).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "melteth" is māsaṣ (מָסַס), which means "to melt, dissolve, waste away, vanish." It conveys the idea of something losing its substance and disappearing entirely, reinforcing the image of complete obliteration. The phrase "untimely birth" comes from the Hebrew nephel (נֵפֶל), which specifically denotes a miscarriage or stillborn child. The choice of these vivid, almost visceral images highlights the psalmist's intense desire for the wicked to be utterly removed, leaving no trace or lasting impact.

Practical Application

While the strong language of imprecatory psalms can be unsettling, Psalms 58:8 offers several profound applications for believers today:

  • Acknowledging God's Sovereignty in Justice: This verse reminds us that God is the ultimate Judge of all the earth. When faced with deep injustice, corruption, and evil that seems to go unpunished, we can bring our cries for justice to Him, trusting that He sees and will act in His perfect timing. This aligns with the New Testament call to "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19).
  • Understanding Human Emotion: The raw emotion expressed in this psalm validates the deep pain and anger that injustice can provoke in the human heart. It shows that it is permissible to lay even our most intense feelings before God, trusting Him to filter and perfect our prayers according to His will.
  • Hope for the Future: The psalmist's plea ultimately points to a future where evil will not triumph. It reinforces the biblical hope that all wickedness will eventually "pass away," and God's kingdom of righteousness and peace will prevail, a promise echoed in visions of a new heaven and a new earth where there is no more sorrow or pain.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 3:16

    Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants [which] never saw light.

  • Ecclesiastes 6:3

    If a man beget an hundred [children], and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also [that] he have no burial; I say, [that] an untimely birth [is] better than he.

  • Psalms 37:35

    I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

  • Psalms 37:36

    Yet he passed away, and, lo, he [was] not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

  • James 1:10

    But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

  • Matthew 24:35

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

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