Psalms 58:6

  1. Home
  2. KJV Bible
  3. Psalms 58
  4. Psalms 58:6

Old Testament

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

New Testament

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

Chapter

Psalms 1 Psalms 2 Psalms 3 Psalms 4 Psalms 5 Psalms 6 Psalms 7 Psalms 8 Psalms 9 Psalms 10 Psalms 11 Psalms 12 Psalms 13 Psalms 14 Psalms 15 Psalms 16 Psalms 17 Psalms 18 Psalms 19 Psalms 20 Psalms 21 Psalms 22 Psalms 23 Psalms 24 Psalms 25 Psalms 26 Psalms 27 Psalms 28 Psalms 29 Psalms 30 Psalms 31 Psalms 32 Psalms 33 Psalms 34 Psalms 35 Psalms 36 Psalms 37 Psalms 38 Psalms 39 Psalms 40 Psalms 41 Psalms 42 Psalms 43 Psalms 44 Psalms 45 Psalms 46 Psalms 47 Psalms 48 Psalms 49 Psalms 50 Psalms 51 Psalms 52 Psalms 53 Psalms 54 Psalms 55 Psalms 56 Psalms 57 Psalms 58 Psalms 59 Psalms 60 Psalms 61 Psalms 62 Psalms 63 Psalms 64 Psalms 65 Psalms 66 Psalms 67 Psalms 68 Psalms 69 Psalms 70 Psalms 71 Psalms 72 Psalms 73 Psalms 74 Psalms 75 Psalms 76 Psalms 77 Psalms 78 Psalms 79 Psalms 80 Psalms 81 Psalms 82 Psalms 83 Psalms 84 Psalms 85 Psalms 86 Psalms 87 Psalms 88 Psalms 89 Psalms 90 Psalms 91 Psalms 92 Psalms 93 Psalms 94 Psalms 95 Psalms 96 Psalms 97 Psalms 98 Psalms 99 Psalms 100 Psalms 101 Psalms 102 Psalms 103 Psalms 104 Psalms 105 Psalms 106 Psalms 107 Psalms 108 Psalms 109 Psalms 110 Psalms 111 Psalms 112 Psalms 113 Psalms 114 Psalms 115 Psalms 116 Psalms 117 Psalms 118 Psalms 119 Psalms 120 Psalms 121 Psalms 122 Psalms 123 Psalms 124 Psalms 125 Psalms 126 Psalms 127 Psalms 128 Psalms 129 Psalms 130 Psalms 131 Psalms 132 Psalms 133 Psalms 134 Psalms 135 Psalms 136 Psalms 137 Psalms 138 Psalms 139 Psalms 140 Psalms 141 Psalms 142 Psalms 143 Psalms 144 Psalms 145 Psalms 146 Psalms 147 Psalms 148 Psalms 149 Psalms 150

Verse

Psalms 58:1 Psalms 58:2 Psalms 58:3 Psalms 58:4 Psalms 58:5 Psalms 58:6 Psalms 58:7 Psalms 58:8 Psalms 58:9 Psalms 58:10 Psalms 58:11

Psalms 58:6 KJV

Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.

Previous Verse
« Psalms 58:5
Next Verse
Psalms 58:7 »

Psalms 58:6 Bible Commentary

Psalms 58:6 Commentary

Psalm 58:6 reads: "O God, break the teeth in their mouth; break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord." This verse stands within a context of a Psalm that challenges the wickedness and injustice of those in positions of power.

Contextual Analysis

This Psalm is often understood as a song of lament and a call for divine judgement against the wicked. The psalmist, traditionally believed to be David, expresses a strong desire for God to intervene and to rectify the imbalances created by those who act unjustly.

Thematic Exploration

The imagery in this verse is vivid and significant. The “teeth” symbolize the fierce power and destruction wrought by the wicked. Just as lions tear apart their prey with their teeth, the unjust exploit and harm the innocent. The psalmist’s request for God to "break" these teeth indicates a plea for God to render the wicked powerless.

1. The Cry for Justice

This verse encapsulates a profound theological theme: the cry for justice. The psalmist is not merely wishing harm upon enemies; rather, he is invoking God’s justice, calling upon the divine to stop the wicked from oppressing the righteous.

  • Divine Intercession: Albert Barnes remarks that the psalmist recognizes the necessity of divine intervention, acknowledging human limitations in confronting such pervasive evil.
  • Righteous Anger: Matthew Henry notes that the intensity of the cry reflects the deep anguish and righteous anger that accompanies the experience of injustice.

2. Symbolism of Teeth

According to Adam Clarke, the imagery of teeth serves to represent not only the strength and power associated with those who commit evil, but also their capacity to inflict pain and destruction. Teeth are both a mechanism of consumption and tools of violence.

In this light, breaking teeth symbolizes a divine act that eliminates the source of harm, rendering the wicked unable to oppress or consume the innocent any longer.

3. The Role of Lions

The reference to “young lions” invokes the idea of predators in their prime, potent and formidable. The young lions symbolize those who are especially destructive in their prime, often seen to symbolize both kings and powerful leaders who abuse their authority.

  • Destructive Nature: This metaphor points to the natural instinct of power figures who exploit their positions, drawing attention to their primal nature that seeks to dominate and control.
  • The Need for Restraint: The plea for God to break these teeth signifies a need for God to restrain such predators, reminding believers of the divine authority to reestablish order and justice in the world.

Theological Implications

This verse not only reflects a desire for immediate justice, but also embodies deeper theological truths about God’s sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. It serves as an assertion that God will one day rectify all wrongs, reinforcing the hope believers hold in divine justice.

1. Hope in Divine Justice

The cry for justice in Psalms resonates with a broader theme throughout Scripture that God hears the pleas of the oppressed and intervenes in human history. This is essential for the faithful who endure suffering, as it reassures them that their grievances are not overlooked.

2. The Perils of Wickedness

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of recurring wickedness. The ultimate fate of the wicked, particularly those who harm the innocent, offers both a warning and an encouragement for the faithful. Henry points out that the wicked may seem powerful, but they are ultimately subject to God’s judgement.

Practical Applications

For pastors, students, and theologians, this passage provides fertile ground for understanding human suffering and God’s justice. The themes of divine intervention serve as a basis for preaching and teaching about the nature of God as a protector and avenger of the oppressed.

  • Empathy for the Oppressed: This verse encourages empathy and action towards those suffering injustice in society.
  • Call for Prayer: It serves as a model for prayer against injustice, urging a cry for God's intervention on behalf of those who cannot advocate for themselves.
  • Assurance of Justice: Ultimately, it invites believers to trust in God's timing for justice and deliverance.

Conclusion

Psalms 58:6 is a potent reminder of the realities of injustice and the assurance of divine justice. It challenges all readers to confront wickedness with an expectation of God’s active involvement in seeking to deliver the oppressed. The psalmist's heartfelt plea underscores an essential truth—that God cares for those who suffer and will one day restore righteousness among humanity.

Psalms 58 (KJV) Verse Selection

Psalms 58:1 Psalms 58:2 Psalms 58:3 Psalms 58:4 Psalms 58:5 Psalms 58:6 Psalms 58:7 Psalms 58:8 Psalms 58:9 Psalms 58:10 Psalms 58:11

KJV Bible Books

KJV Bible Books and Chapters »