O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist isn't just asking for any teeth to be broken; he's specifically calling for the "great teeth," the "grinders," to be removed. This isn't just about stopping them from biting; it's about disarming their most powerful means of tearing and destroying, effectively rendering their fierce aggression utterly useless.
O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
English Standard Version (ESV)
After vividly describing the wicked as venomous snakes from birth, the psalmist shifts from lament to imprecation. He cries out to God to disarm these dangerous enemies, comparing them to fierce young lions whose fangs must be broken out to prevent them from tearing apart the innocent. The prayer is for God to incapacitate those who, like ravenous beasts, are bent on destruction.
The psalmist vividly describes his enemies, but he shifts his imagery. Why the change from serpent to lion, and what does it tell us about the nature of the threats faced?
In this verse, the psalmist uses two powerful images to depict his enemies. He starts with the idea of 'teeth in their mouths,' which some scholars connect to the subtle, deadly bite of a serpent. Think of the insidious way venom can be delivered through a tiny fang. These are the secret attacks, the whispers, the slander that can poison relationships and reputations.
But then, the psalmist escalates, calling them 'young lions.' This image shifts to open, violent ferocity. Young lions are strong, aggressive, and ready to tear their prey apart. This isn't about subtle attacks anymore; it's about overt, powerful opposition bent on destruction. The psalmist is showing that the danger he faces is both cunningly hidden and brutally obvious, requiring God's intervention against all forms of aggression.
The prayer here is quite visceral: 'break their teeth!' What does this aggressive plea reveal about the psalmist's desperation and his view of God's power?
This isn't just a casual request; it's a desperate plea for God to neutralize the destructive power of his enemies. When the psalmist asks God to 'break their teeth' and 'tear out the fangs,' he's asking God to disarm them completely. These aren't just any teeth; they are the 'great teeth' or 'grinders' – the instruments of their power, their ability to harm, to devour, to destroy.
The imagery of breaking teeth, particularly those of young lions, signifies rendering the fierce utterly powerless. It’s about taking away their capacity to inflict damage. The psalmist recognizes that his enemies possess immense power, but he trusts that God's power is far greater. He's not asking God to simply wound them, but to fundamentally strip them of their means to cause harm. It's a profound declaration of faith that God can and will intervene to stop the violent, to restrain the aggressive, and to protect the vulnerable.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the covenant God of Israel (Yahweh), representing His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people. It is the name revealed to Moses at the burning bush and signifies His presence with His covenant people.
Elohim · Hebrew Proper Noun
The Hebrew word for God, used to emphasize His power, sovereignty, and role as Creator. It is a majestic title acknowledging Him as the supreme Judge and ruler over all creation.
This verse powerfully echoes the imagery of Psalm 58:6, asking a rhetorical question about whether an Ethiopian can change his skin or a leopard its spots, to illustrate the deep-seated nature of sin and the difficulty of overcoming ingrained wicked patterns, much like the lion's fangs represent an inherent capacity for harm.
Matthew 12:34Jesus speaks of how the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart, connecting the internal disposition to outward expression. This resonates with the imprecation in Psalm 58:6, which targets the 'teeth' as instruments of harmful speech and action stemming from a wicked heart.
Proverbs 30:14This proverb describes a type of person whose 'front teeth are like swords and whose jaw teeth like knives' to devour the afflicted and needy. It paints a similar picture of destructive intent, aligning with the psalmist's request to break the 'teeth' and 'fangs' of the wicked who act like predatory animals.
Job 4:10This verse speaks of the destruction of the 'great lions' perishing for lack of prey and the 'whelps' scattering. While it describes the natural outcome of wickedness, it shares the imagery of lions and their demise, which the psalmist invokes in Psalm 58:6 when asking for the 'young lions' to be disarmed.
gillPsalms 58:6: "Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD."
Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth,.... From the description of the wicked, the psalmist passes to imprecations on his enemies; whom he represents as cruel and bloodthirsty, and as being stronger than he; and therefore he applies to God, who could, as he sometimes did, smite his enemies on the cheekbone, and break the teeth of the ungodly; which is done by taking the power and in…
poolePsalms 58:6: "Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD."
Their teeth; their power and instruments of doing mischief. He mentions teeth, partly because the adder’s poison lies in its teeth; and partly to make way for the following metaphor. The great teeth, called the grinders ; which are more sharp and strong than the rest, and more used in breaking and tearing what they are about to eat.
The psalmist isn't just asking for any teeth to be broken; he's specifically calling for the "great teeth," the "grinders," to be removed. This isn't just about stopping them from biting; it's about disarming their most powerful means of tearing and destroying, effectively rendering their fierce aggression utterly useless.
After vividly describing the wicked as venomous snakes from birth, the psalmist shifts from lament to imprecation. He cries out to God to disarm these dangerous enemies, comparing them to fierce young lions whose fangs must be broken out to prevent them from tearing apart the innocent. The prayer is for God to incapacitate those who, like ravenous beasts, are bent on destruction.
After vividly describing the wicked as venomous snakes from birth, the psalmist shifts from lament to imprecation. He cries out to God to disarm these dangerous enemies, comparing them to fierce young lions whose fangs must be broken out to prevent them from tearing apart the innocent. The prayer is for God to incapacitate those who, like ravenous beasts, are bent on destruction.
"O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!" — The psalmist isn't just asking for any teeth to be broken; he's specifically calling for the "great teeth," the "grinders," to be removed. This isn't just about stopping them from biting; it's abou…
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Last reviewed October 2026