Psalms 58:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 58:6 mean?

Psalms 58:6 is a prayer asking God to destroy the power and ability of wicked people to do harm, using the vivid image of breaking their teeth as a way to show removing their strength. The verse uses the picture of young lions, known for their dangerous bite, to describe how dangerous these people are and how urgently the psalmist wants God to stop them.

The psalm is spoken by David, who is calling out to God because he sees injustice and violence from corrupt leaders or enemies. By asking God to "break their teeth," David is not literally talking about physical harm, but is using strong language to ask God to take away their ability to hurt others. This verse is part of a larger prayer for justice against those who misuse their power.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 58:6

• "Break" (הָרֵס, haras): This word means to destroy or tear down. In this verse, it shows the psalmist’s desire for God to completely remove the harmful power of the wicked.
• "Teeth" (שֵׁן, shen and מְתַלְּעוֹת, metalle'ot): The first word refers to teeth in general, while the second refers to the "great teeth" or "fangs" of lions. The use of both words emphasizes the dangerous, predatory nature of the wicked people being described.
• "Lions" (כְּפִיר, kephir): This word means "young lions," which were seen as especially strong and threatening. The comparison highlights how fierce and destructive these enemies are seen to be.

Why Psalms 58:6 matters

• This verse helps clear up that the psalmist is not asking for petty revenge, but for God to stop those who are truly dangerous and unjust.
• The strong imagery shows how seriously the psalmist views the threat of evil leaders or enemies, and how much he relies on God to bring justice.
• Understanding the metaphor of "breaking teeth" helps readers see that the psalm is about removing the ability to do harm, not about physical violence for its own sake.