Psalms 58:4
They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Psalmist doesn't just say these wicked people are venomous like a serpent, but specifically like an "adder that stops its ear." This highlights their willful refusal to listen to any wisdom or warning, making them not only dangerous but utterly untameable and beyond reason.
The psalmist is exposing the deep-seated wickedness of his enemies, accusing them of plotting evil and violence from birth. These verses paint a vivid picture of their malicious intent and their stubborn refusal to heed any warnings or counsel. They are compared to venomous serpents, not just in their harmful words and actions, but also in their deliberate deafness to any voice of reason or correction.
Ever feel like someone's words just 'poison' everything they touch? The Psalmist uses a powerful image to describe the destructive nature of the wicked.
The Serpent's Deadly Bite
The Psalmist compares the wicked's words and disposition to the venom of a serpent. This isn't just about physical harm; it's about a deep, corrupting influence.
Some people seem impossible to reason with, like they've deliberately shut their ears. The Psalmist uses a striking image to capture this stubborn resistance.
The Stubborn Adder
The verse compares the wicked to a 'deaf adder that stops its ear.' This isn't about a natural inability to hear, but a wilful refusal to listen to truth, counsel, or warnings.
Understand the original words
chemah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to venomous or poisonous substances. Metaphorically, it represents the destructive and deadly nature of evil speech or malicious behavior.
nachash · Hebrew Noun
An animal representing danger, craftiness, and, in a broader biblical sense, often associated with temptation, deception, and the adversary.
This passage echoes the venomous speech described in Psalm 58:4, calling the words of the wicked 'poison of asps' that rests under their lips.
Jeremiah 8:17This verse speaks of serpents that cannot be charmed, mirroring the 'deaf adder' imagery in Psalm 58:4 and highlighting the obstinate refusal of the wicked to heed warnings.
Matthew 12:31-32Jesus speaks of the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit, which is a willful and persistent rejection of God's truth, akin to the deaf adder refusing to hear the charmer in Psalm 58:4.
Ecclesiastes 10:11This verse mentions the 'unskilled charmer' who will be bitten by a serpent, implying that some serpents are untamable, much like the stubbornly wicked described in Psalm 58:4.
clarkePsalms 58:4: "Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;"
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent - When they bite, they convey poison into the wound, as the serpent does. They not only injure you by outward acts, but by their malevolence they poison your reputation. They do you as much evil as they can, and propagate the worst reports that others may have you in abhorrence, treat you as a bad and dangerous man; and thus, as the poison…
gillPsalms 58:4: "Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;"
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent,.... Either their "wrath" and fury, as the word (x) may be rendered, against God, his people, and even one another, is like that of a serpent when irritated and provoked; or their mischievous and devouring words are like the poison of asps under their lips, Romans 3:13 ; or the malignity of sin in them is here meant, which, like the poison…
The Psalmist doesn't just say these wicked people are venomous like a serpent, but specifically like an "adder that stops its ear." This highlights their willful refusal to listen to any wisdom or warning, making them not only dangerous but utterly untameable and beyond reason.
The psalmist is exposing the deep-seated wickedness of his enemies, accusing them of plotting evil and violence from birth. These verses paint a vivid picture of their malicious intent and their stubborn refusal to heed any warnings or counsel. They are compared to venomous serpents, not just in their harmful words and actions, but also in their deliberate deafness to any voice of reason or correction.
The psalmist is exposing the deep-seated wickedness of his enemies, accusing them of plotting evil and violence from birth. These verses paint a vivid picture of their malicious intent and their stubborn refusal to heed any warnings or counsel. They are compared to venomous serpents, not just in their harmful words and actions, but also in their deliberate deafness to any voice of reason or correction.
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"They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear," — The Psalmist doesn't just say these wicked people are venomous like a serpent, but specifically like an "adder that stops its ear." This highlights their willful refusal to listen to any wisdom or wa…
