Question 1

What does Psalms 58:4 mean?

Accepted Answer

Psalms 58:4 uses the image of poisonous snakes to describe people whose words or actions are deeply harmful, saying they are like a serpent whose venom is deadly and like a deaf adder that refuses to listen. The verse paints a picture of people who are not only dangerous but also stubbornly unresponsive to warnings or correction. In this psalm, David is speaking about corrupt leaders or judges who act unjustly. He compares their harmful influence to the poison of snakes, emphasizing both the danger they pose and their refusal to heed advice or change their ways. The verse highlights how their hearts are closed off, making them unreachable and persistent in wrongdoing.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Psalms 58:4

Accepted Answer

The word for "poison" is חֵמָה (chemah), which often means "wrath" or "venom." Here, it emphasizes the destructive and toxic nature of the people David is describing. "Serpent" is נָחָשׁ (nachash), a general term for snake, evoking the ancient symbol of danger and deceit. "Deaf" is חֵרֵשׁ (cheresh), meaning unable or unwilling to hear, stressing that these people are deliberately ignoring any attempt to reach them. "Adder" is פֶּתֶן (peten), a specific kind of venomous snake, often thought of as especially dangerous and hard to charm. "Stoppeth" is אָטַם (atham), meaning to plug up or close, which gives the image of the snake intentionally blocking its ears, refusing to listen.

Question 3

Why Psalms 58:4 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clears up that the comparison is not just about being dangerous, but also about being willfully deaf to correction or reason, deepening the sense of hopelessness in reaching such people. The imagery connects to the wider passage, where David is lamenting the injustice and corruption of those in power, showing that their evil is both active (harmful) and passive (unresponsive). Understanding the specific words for "poison," "deaf," and "adder" highlights the deliberate and stubborn nature of the people described, not just their harmfulness but their refusal to change.

Psalms 58:4 (KJV)