Psalms 58:3-6

58:3 The wicked turn aside from birth; ¹ 

liars go astray as soon as they are born. ² 

58:4 Their venom is like that of a snake, ³ 

like a deaf serpent ⁴  that does not hear, ⁵ 

58:5 that does not respond to ⁶  the magicians,

or to a skilled snake-charmer.

58:6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths!

Smash the jawbones of the lions, O Lord!

[58:3]  ¹ tn Heb “from the womb.”

[58:3]  ² tn Heb “speakers of a lie go astray from the womb.”

[58:4]  ³ tn Heb “[there is] venom to them according to the likeness of venom of a snake.”

[58:4]  ⁴ tn Or perhaps “cobra” (cf. NASB, NIV). Other suggested species of snakes are “asp” (NEB) and “adder” (NRSV).

[58:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “[that] stops up its ear.” The apparent Hiphil jussive verbal form should be understood as a Qal imperfect with “i” theme vowel (see GKC 168 §63.n).

[58:5]  ⁶ tn Heb “does not listen to the voice of.”