Psalm 57 4

Psalm 57:4 kjv

My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalm 57:4 nkjv

My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalm 57:4 niv

I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts? men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Psalm 57:4 esv

My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts ? the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Psalm 57:4 nlt

I am surrounded by fierce lions
who greedily devour human prey ?
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
and whose tongues cut like swords.

Psalm 57 verses

Psalm 57 4 Meaning

Psalm 57:4 powerfully portrays the Psalmist's dire situation, likening his adversaries to ferocious wild beasts and instruments of war. His very being is in peril, surrounded by enemies whose words and actions are utterly destructive, like ravenous lions, burning fire, piercing spears and arrows, and deadly sharp swords. It describes an environment of overwhelming hostility and the pervasive threat of physical and verbal attacks from malevolent people.

Psalm 57 4 Context

Psalm 57 is a Miktam of David, likely composed when he fled from King Saul and hid in a cave (as recounted in 1 Sam 24). This historical setting deeply informs the verse's intense imagery of danger. David was literally surrounded by adversaries, actively pursuing his life.

The psalm begins with David seeking refuge and mercy from God, expressing confidence that God's steadfast love and faithfulness would cover him until the crisis passed. Verse 4 then dramatically paints the specific nature of this "crisis" – it's not a natural disaster, but fierce human enemies whose intent is destructive. They are depicted with hyperbole, as animalistic and weapon-like, conveying their relentless hostility and David's utter vulnerability in their presence. The verse functions as a lament, vividly describing the peril to justify David's fervent prayer for deliverance later in the psalm, transitioning from fear to faith and praise.

Psalm 57 4 Word analysis

• My soul (נַפְשִׁי, naphshi): Not merely his physical self, but his entire being, life force, inner spirit, and essential self. It implies a deep personal threat, touching the core of his existence, indicating profound vulnerability and distress.
• is among lions (בְּתוֹךְ לְבָאִים, betoch l'va'im):
  • l'va'im refers to lions, apex predators in the ancient world. They symbolize immense, life-threatening danger, ruthless power, and consuming hostility. The use of the plural ("lions") amplifies the multitude and intensity of the threats.
  • "Among" signifies being entirely surrounded and enclosed by peril, suggesting a complete lack of escape or safety.
• I lie down (אֶשְׁכְּבָה, eshk'vah): Denotes a posture of resting, sleeping, or being settled. In this context, it starkly contrasts with the immense danger. It could signify David being forced into a position of vulnerability and exposed 'rest,' perhaps awaiting the enemies' onslaught, or it highlights his constant exposure to danger even when in a state usually associated with security. It suggests an inescapable, persistent peril rather than peaceful repose.
• among those who breathe out fire (לֹהֲטִים, lohatim):
  • Lohatim comes from a root meaning "to glow," "to burn," or "to inflame." It's rendered as "flame-throwers" or "burning ones." This imagery emphasizes extreme rage, fierce anger, and a destructive intensity that goes beyond mere physical threat, indicating a consuming malice in their nature. It may allude to their heated threats and fiery persecution.
• even the sons of men (בְּנֵי אָדָם, b'nei adam): This phrase brings the focus back to human adversaries after the animalistic and mythological imagery. It highlights that the source of such intense cruelty and destructive behavior is not literal beasts, but fellow human beings. This paradox emphasizes the profound depravity or brutality possible within humanity.
• whose teeth are spears (שִׁנֵּיהֶם חֲנִית, shinneyhem chanit):
  • Shinneyhem: their teeth, the instrument of devouring and tearing.
  • Chanit: spear, a lethal weapon for thrusting and piercing in close combat. This combines the predatory intent of biting with the piercing, deadly nature of a weapon.
• and arrows (וְחִצִּים, v'chitzim):
  • Chitzim: arrows, projectiles for striking from a distance. Together with "spears," it signifies enemies equipped with both close-range and long-range means of physical destruction. It implies they are fully armed and ready to kill.
• and their tongue a sharp sword (וּלְשׁוֹנָם חֶרֶב חַדָּה, u'l'shonam cherev chadah):
  • L'shonam: their tongue, the organ of speech.
  • Cherev chadah: sharp sword, a weapon used for cutting, slashing, and killing. The adjective "sharp" emphasizes its lethal effectiveness. This vivid metaphor points to the extreme destructive power of their words: slander, lies, malicious accusations, and verbal attacks that aim to wound, pierce, or even destroy the Psalmist's reputation or spirit, often being as damaging as physical violence.

Psalm 57 4 Bonus section

• The hyperbolic imagery serves not only to express distress but also to invoke divine intervention. When human enemies act with such unrestrained malice, divine intervention becomes the only plausible hope.
• The Psalm's setting (David fleeing from Saul) informs the contrast: Saul, a fellow human, a king, but acting with bestial and murderous intent towards David. This underscores the potential for spiritual depravity within humanity.
• This verse provides a crucial understanding of "spiritual warfare." While it describes human enemies, the intense malevolence, rage, and destructive speech are often manifestations of spiritual forces (Eph 6:12) influencing human hearts and minds.
• The imagery of devouring teeth and fire is a motif in biblical laments to express the enemies' desire to completely consume and destroy the righteous. The "fire" could also be seen as consuming zeal for wickedness or fervent opposition.

Psalm 57 4 Commentary

Psalm 57:4 offers a chillingly vivid portrayal of life under threat from malevolent human adversaries. David uses extreme hyperbole—animalistic, fiery, and military imagery—to convey the intensity and comprehensive nature of the danger. He isn't merely surrounded; his "soul" itself is placed among these perils. The progression from predatory beasts to weapons, culminating in the tongue as a sharp sword, powerfully highlights that the most potent and insidious attack often comes through words. Slander, deceit, and false accusations, spoken with malicious intent, can wound deeply, dismantle reputations, and spiritually 'kill,' much like a physical weapon. The verse exposes the bitter reality that humanity, made in God's image, can stoop to depraved levels, acting with bestial ferocity and destructive intent, using their very words as instruments of war. This lament sets the profound need for divine refuge expressed in the preceding and subsequent verses of the psalm. For a follower of Christ, this imagery resonates with the spiritual battles faced, often through deceptive words and character attacks, highlighting the importance of the spiritual armor.