Psalm 58 4

Psalm 58:4 kjv

Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

Psalm 58:4 nkjv

Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear,

Psalm 58:4 niv

Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

Psalm 58:4 esv

They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,

Psalm 58:4 nlt

They spit venom like deadly snakes;
they are like cobras that refuse to listen,

Psalm 58 verses

Psalm 58 4 Meaning

Psalm 58:4 powerfully depicts the profound and inherent wickedness of those who pervert justice. Their malevolence is portrayed as deadly, like the venom of a serpent, signifying a destructive and insidious intent. Furthermore, they are likened to a "deaf adder" that willfully blocks its ear, illustrating their deliberate and unyielding resistance to wisdom, counsel, correction, or any truth that might challenge their corrupt ways. This signifies not a lack of ability to understand, but a stubborn refusal to hear or respond.

Psalm 58 4 Context

Psalm 58 is a Mictam of David, an imprecatory psalm appealing to God for justice against wicked and corrupt individuals, particularly those in positions of authority who pervert judgment (v. 1-2). The psalm describes their deep-seated depravity from birth (v. 3), their destructive nature, and their obstinate refusal to heed wisdom (v. 4-5), culminating in a prayer for their swift and decisive destruction (v. 6-9). Verse 4 sets the stage for the depth of this moral corruption, illustrating their malice and deliberate imperviousness to truth, akin to the common ancient Near Eastern practice of snake charming, where some serpents were known to resist the charmer's influence.

Psalm 58 4 Word analysis

• Their venom: (חֲמָת־לָמוֹ, chemat-lamo) "Venom" (חֲמָת, chemat) often means "heat," "fury," or "poison" in Hebrew, deriving from a root implying passionate intensity. Here, it denotes lethal poison, representing the deep-seated, active, and destructive malice inherent in the wicked. This malice is not merely passive; it is an active, contaminating, and deadly force, manifested in their corrupt judgments and words.
• is like the venom of a serpent: (כִּדְמוּת חֲמַת־נָחָשׁ, kidmut chemat-nachash) "Serpent" (נָחָשׁ, nachash) is a potent biblical symbol, recalling the primal evil and deception from Gen 3. The comparison emphasizes the insidiousness, cunning, and lethal danger associated with the wicked. Their words and actions are not just harmful; they carry the potential for death and spiritual ruin.
• like the deaf adder: (כְּמוֹ־פֶתֶן חֵרֵשׁ, kemo-pethen cheresh) "Adder" (פֶתֶן, pethen) specifically refers to a highly venomous cobra or a similar type of snake known for its particularly deadly bite. "Deaf" (חֵרֵשׁ, cheresh) here implies a willful imperviousness, not a physical hearing impairment. In ancient cultures, snake charmers sought to "charm" serpents through music or incantations. The "deaf adder" signifies one that cannot be charmed, illustrating a deep-seated, intractable stubbornness. This suggests the wicked are utterly unresponsive to any attempts to sway them—be it through reason, counsel, warnings, or even the fear of consequences.
• that stops its ear: (יֶאְטֵם אָזְנוֹ, ye'atem ozno) This phrase reinforces the deliberate nature of their resistance. "Stops" (יֶאְטֵם, ye'atem) is an active verb, indicating a conscious choice or action to block out input. This is not passive ignorance but an active refusal to listen, understand, or accept truth. It highlights an extreme form of spiritual and moral hardening, where they willfully make themselves deaf to appeals, correction, or divine guidance.
• their venom...like the venom of a serpent: This repetition and emphasis underscores the potency and destructive nature of their malice.
• like the deaf adder that stops its ear: This powerful simile encapsulates the twin evils of inherent depravity and deliberate, active rejection of wisdom and moral truth. They are not merely ignorant, but actively choose to remain impervious to anything that would lead them from their destructive path.

Psalm 58 4 Bonus section

The metaphor of the "deaf adder" resonates with broader biblical themes of hardening one's heart against God's word (e.g., Pharaoh, Israel in the wilderness). It implies that the wicked addressed in this psalm are beyond human appeal or rational persuasion. Their condition is not one of ignorance that can be remedied, but a volitional decision to remain in depravity. This underscores why the psalmist's only recourse is to appeal directly to God for swift, definitive judgment, as their own stubborn refusal precludes any other resolution. The "deafness" also speaks to the profound moral alienation from divine truth.

Psalm 58 4 Commentary

Psalm 58:4 presents a chilling and vivid portrait of intractable evil. The image of the serpent's venom speaks to the deadly consequences of the wicked's actions and intentions, particularly their perversion of justice, which functions like a silent, spreading poison. Their words and judgments are infused with this lethal malice. The comparison to a "deaf adder" is particularly potent; it goes beyond simple stubbornness. This adder isn't merely unresponsive, but willfully unresponsive, actively blocking out any 'charm'—be it divine instruction, wise counsel, a conscience, or the pleas of victims. It illustrates a moral deafness chosen by the wicked, preventing any penetration of truth or compassion into their hardened hearts. This refusal to hear confirms their inherent corruption, signaling that their wickedness is not a mistake but a settled, deliberate, and deadly disposition against what is righteous.