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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 58:4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/58-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_058_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 58:4 - God Judges the Earth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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they are like cobras that refuse to listen,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/58.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/58.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/58.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Their poison <i>is</i> like the poison of a serpent: <i>they are</i> like the deaf adder <i>that</i> stoppeth her ear;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/58.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Their poison <i>is</i> like the poison of a serpent; <i>They are</i> like the deaf cobra <i>that</i> stops its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/58.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/58.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/58.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/58.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/58.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Their poison is like the venom of a serpent; They are like the deaf horned viper that stops up its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/58.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/58.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/58.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/58.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your words spread poison like the bite of a cobra <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/58.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/58.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They have poisonous venom like snakes. They are like a deaf cobra that shuts its ears<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/58.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They are full of poison like snakes; they stop up their ears like a deaf cobra, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/58.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Their venom is like a poisonous snake; even like a deaf serpent that shuts its ears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/58.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/58.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Their venom is like that of a snake, like a deaf serpent that does not hear, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/58.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; like a deaf viper that stops its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/58.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/58.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Their poison is like the poison of a snake, like a deaf cobra that stops its ear, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/58.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Their poison [is] as poison of a serpent, "" As a deaf cobra shutting its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/58.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Their poison is as poison of a serpent, As a deaf asp shutting its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/58.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wrath to them according to the likeness of the wrath of a serpent: as the deaf adder will stop its ear;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/58.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Their madness is according to the likeness of a serpent: like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ears: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/58.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 57:5>Their fury is similar to that of a serpent; it is like a deaf asp, who even blocks her ears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/58.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a serpent stopping its ears, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/58.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/58.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; they are like the deaf adder that stops its ear,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/58.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Their venom is like a snake's or that of a cockatrice, or like a deaf asp that covers its ears.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/58.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Their venom is like the venom of a serpent; They are like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ear;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/58.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Their venom is like <i>that</i> of a serpent; as <i>that</i> of a deaf asp, and that stops her ears;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/58-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6838" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/58.htm">God Judges the Earth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2534.htm" title="2534: ḥă·maṯ- (N-fsc) -- Heat, rage. Or chemac; from yacham; heat; figuratively, anger, poison.">Their venom</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·mōw (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1823.htm" title="1823: kiḏ·mūṯ (Prep-k:: N-fs) -- Likeness, similitude. From damah; resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like.">is like</a> <a href="/hebrew/2534.htm" title="2534: ḥă·maṯ- (N-fsc) -- Heat, rage. Or chemac; from yacham; heat; figuratively, anger, poison.">the venom</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: nā·ḥāš (N-ms) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">of a snake,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: kə·mōw- (Prep) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so.">like</a> <a href="/hebrew/6620.htm" title="6620: p̄e·ṯen (N-ms) -- (a venomous serpent) perhaps cobra. From an unused root meaning to twist; an asp.">a cobra</a> <a href="/hebrew/2795.htm" title="2795: ḥê·rêš (Adj-ms) -- Deaf. From charash; deaf.">that shuts</a> <a href="/hebrew/331.htm" title="331: ya’·ṭêm (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To shut, shut up. A primitive root; to close; by analology to contract."></a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: ’ā·zə·nōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear.">its ears,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8</a></span><br />but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33</a></span><br />You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a></span><br />And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a></span><br />I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a></span><br />You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-3.htm">Acts 28:3-6</a></span><br />Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand. / When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” / But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-7.htm">Luke 3:7</a></span><br />Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1-5</a></span><br />Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm">Proverbs 23:32</a></span><br />In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Isaiah 59:5</a></span><br />They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17</a></span><br />“For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm">Deuteronomy 32:33</a></span><br />Their wine is the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stops her ear;</p><p class="hdg">poison</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a></b></br> They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison <i>is</i> under their lips. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:11</a></b></br> Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a></b></br> Their throat <i>is</i> an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps <i>is</i> under their lips:</p><p class="hdg">like [heb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7</a></b></br> But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Matthew 23:33</a></b></br> <i>Ye</i> serpents, <i>ye</i> generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?</p><p class="hdg">the deaf</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17</a></b></br> For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which <i>will</i> not <i>be</i> charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">adder or asp.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/20-14.htm">Job 20:14,16</a></b></br> <i>Yet</i> his meat in his bowels is turned, <i>it is</i> the gall of asps within him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Isaiah 11:8</a></b></br> And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/20-16.htm">Adder</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm">Asp</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Cobra</a> <a href="/psalms/39-12.htm">Deaf</a> <a href="/psalms/55-19.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/job/26-13.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/psalms/55-1.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/18-29.htm">Shutting</a> <a href="/job/26-13.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/job/38-11.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/job/5-16.htm">Stoppeth</a> <a href="/job/37-7.htm">Stops</a> <a href="/job/20-16.htm">Venom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Adder</a> <a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Asp</a> <a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Cobra</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-9.htm">Deaf</a> <a href="/psalms/64-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/61-1.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/psalms/69-21.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/psalms/91-13.htm">Serpent</a> <a href="/psalms/69-15.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm">Shutting</a> <a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">Snake</a> <a href="/psalms/63-11.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/psalms/107-42.htm">Stoppeth</a> <a href="/psalms/107-42.htm">Stops</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Venom</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 58</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/58-1.htm">David reproves wicked judges</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">describes the nature of the wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/58-6.htm">devotes them to God's judgments</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/58-10.htm">whereat the righteous shall rejoice</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/58.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/58.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Their venom is like the venom of a snake</b><br>This phrase uses the imagery of venom to describe the harmful and destructive nature of the wicked. In biblical times, snakes were often associated with danger and deceit, as seen in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a> with the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The venom symbolizes the deadly and corrupting influence of evil actions and words. This metaphor is consistent with other biblical references to the tongue's power, such as in <a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8</a>, which describes the tongue as "full of deadly poison."<p><b>like a cobra that shuts its ears</b><br>Cobras, known for their deadly bite, are used here to emphasize the stubbornness and unresponsiveness of the wicked. The image of a cobra shutting its ears suggests an intentional refusal to listen to wisdom or correction. This can be connected to <a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Proverbs 1:24-25</a>, where wisdom calls out, but the foolish refuse to listen. The shutting of ears also reflects a hardened heart, a theme seen throughout Scripture, such as in Pharaoh's hardened heart in Exodus. This imagery underscores the idea that the wicked are not only dangerous but also willfully ignorant and resistant to change.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/58.htm">Psalm 58</a>, David is expressing his frustration and righteous anger against corrupt judges and leaders.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/serpent.htm">Serpent</a></b><br>A metaphor used in this verse to describe the wickedness and deceitfulness of corrupt individuals. The serpent is often associated with danger and evil in biblical literature.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cobra.htm">Cobra</a></b><br>Specifically mentioned in this verse, the cobra is known for its deadly venom and is used to illustrate the lethal and insidious nature of the wicked.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_wickedness.htm">The Nature of Wickedness</a></b><br>Wickedness is often subtle and insidious, like the venom of a serpent. We must be vigilant and discerning in recognizing and confronting it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_ignoring_wisdom.htm">The Danger of Ignoring Wisdom</a></b><br>The cobra that "shuts its ears" symbolizes those who refuse to listen to wisdom and correction. As believers, we should remain open to God's guidance and correction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_anger_against_injustice.htm">Righteous Anger Against Injustice</a></b><br>David's lament highlights the importance of righteous anger against injustice. We should be motivated to seek justice and righteousness in our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_hearts_and_tongues.htm">Guarding Our Hearts and Tongues</a></b><br>Just as venom can spread and cause harm, so can our words and actions. We must guard our hearts and tongues to prevent harm to others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_justice.htm">Trusting in God's Justice</a></b><br>Despite the presence of wickedness, we can trust in God's ultimate justice and righteousness. He will judge the wicked in His perfect timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_58.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 58</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_snakes.htm">What is the biblical perspective on snakes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_you_a_brood_of_vipers.htm">Why are you a brood of vipers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_snakes_venom_align_with_science.htm">How can the imagery of snakes and venom (verses 4-5) be reconciled with modern scientific understanding of reptile behavior?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_pleasant_words_like_a_honeycomb.htm">Can you trample on snakes and scorpions safely?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/58.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Their poison . . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">they have a venom like</span>, &c. The term for serpent is the generic <span class= "ital">n?chash.</span><p>The most forcible images of determined wickedness, and of the destruction it entails, now follow. The first is supplied by the serpent, the more suggestive from the accumulated evil qualities of which that animal has from the first been considered the type. Here the figure is heightened, since the animal is supposed to have been first tamed, but suddenly darts forth its fangs, and shows itself not only untamed, but untameable.<p><span class= "bld">Adder.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">pethen, </span>translated <span class= "ital">asp </span>in <a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm" title="Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.">Deuteronomy 32:33</a>; <a href="/job/20-14.htm" title="Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.">Job 20:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/11-8.htm" title="And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.">Isaiah 11:8</a> (and here by the LXX.) In the <span class= "ital">Bible Educator </span>iv. 103, the <span class= "ital">pethen </span>is identified with the Egyptian <span class= "ital">cobra, </span>the species upon which the serpent charmers practise their peculiar science.<p><span class= "bld">Deaf.</span>--So <a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm" title="For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, said the LORD.">Jeremiah 8:17</a> refers to various kinds of serpents that "will not be charmed." Here, however, it would seem as if the poet were thinking of some individual of a species, generally tractable, that obstinately resists the spells and incantations of the charmer. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/58.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Their poison is like the poison of a serpent</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a>; Song of Sirach 25:15). They are <span class="cmt_word">like the deaf adder</span> that <span class="cmt_word">stoppeth her ear.</span> The "adder" was supposed to be deaf, on account of its being very difficult to charm. It was thought obstinately to set itself against the charmer, and, as it were, stop its ears against him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/58-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Their venom</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמַת־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·maṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2534.htm">Strong's 2534: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heat, anger, poison</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] like</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּדְמ֥וּת</span> <span class="translit">(kiḏ·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1823.htm">Strong's 1823: </a> </span><span class="str2">Resemblance, model, shape, like</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the poison</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמַת־</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·maṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2534.htm">Strong's 2534: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heat, anger, poison</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a serpent,</span><br /><span class="heb">נָחָ֑שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḥāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> </span><span class="str2">A serpent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּמוֹ־</span> <span class="translit">(kə·mōw-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3644.htm">Strong's 3644: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like, as, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a cobra</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶ֥תֶן</span> <span class="translit">(p̄e·ṯen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6620.htm">Strong's 6620: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a venomous serpent) perhaps cobra</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that shuts</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵ֝רֵ֗שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·rêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2795.htm">Strong's 2795: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deaf</span><br /><br /><span class="word">its ears,</span><br /><span class="heb">אָזְנֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·zə·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_241.htm">Strong's 241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Broadness, the ear</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 58:4 Their poison is like the poison (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/58-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 58:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 58:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/58-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 58:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 58:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>