Psalms 58:2-5
plan <03820> [in heart.]
deal <06424> [weigh.]
turn aside <02114> [estranged, etc.]
born <0990> [as soon, etc. Heb. from the belly.]
venom <02534> [poison.]
like ........ deaf <01823 02795> [like. Heb. according to the likeness of. serpent.]
deaf <02795> [the deaf.]
[adder or asp.]
{Pethen,} is no doubt the {boeten} of the Arabians, which M. Forskal describes as spotted with black and white, about one foot in length, nearly half an inch thick, oviparous, and its bite almost instant death. It is the aspic of the ancients, and is so called the literati of Cyprus, though the common people call it [kouphe,] deaf.
respond <08085> [Which.]
That serpents might be charmed or rendered harmless was well known to the ancients. Virgil, and many others state the fact:--{Frigidus in pratis cantando, rumpitur anguis.} "In the meadows the cold snake is burst by incantation."
skilled snake-charmer <02266 02449> [charming never so wisely. or, be the charmer never so cunning.]
