refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell. that it need not heedThis phrase suggests a deliberate choice or inherent nature of not listening or responding. In the Hebrew context, the word for "heed" often implies obedience or attentiveness. The imagery here is of a creature or person who is intentionally ignoring guidance or instruction. This can be seen as a metaphor for those who are resistant to divine wisdom or moral correction, choosing instead to follow their own path. In a broader biblical context, this reflects the human tendency to turn away from God's voice, as seen throughout the narratives of the Old Testament where Israel often ignored the prophets. the tune of the charmer
The "tune" here refers to the enchanting or persuasive words and actions of the charmer. In ancient times, charmers were often seen as those who could control or influence through their skills, much like snake charmers. The Hebrew word for "charmer" can also imply enchanters or those who use spells. This phrase can be understood as a warning against being swayed by false teachings or deceptive influences. In a spiritual sense, it serves as a reminder to Christians to remain vigilant against doctrines or ideologies that may lead them away from the truth of the Gospel. who skillfully weaves his spell
The imagery of "skillfully weaves" suggests a deliberate and artful construction of deception. The Hebrew root for "weaves" can imply crafting or fabricating, indicating that the charmer's influence is not accidental but carefully designed. This can be likened to the cunning nature of sin and temptation, which often presents itself in an attractive and convincing manner. Historically, this reflects the practices of ancient magicians and sorcerers who were known for their ability to manipulate and deceive. For the believer, this serves as a call to discernment, to recognize and resist the subtle and often appealing nature of sin, relying instead on the wisdom and guidance of Scripture. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 58, David is expressing his frustration with unjust rulers and the wickedness he perceives in the world. 2. Wicked Judges/RulersThe psalm addresses corrupt leaders who are likened to venomous snakes, deaf to the voice of justice and righteousness. 3. Snake/SerpentSymbolically represents the wicked and their resistance to correction or guidance, as they are compared to a snake that does not respond to the charmer. 4. Charmer/EnchanterRepresents those who attempt to bring about change or correction through wisdom or persuasion, yet find their efforts futile against the hardened hearts of the wicked. 5. IsraelThe broader context of the psalm reflects the struggles of the nation of Israel with leadership and justice, a recurring theme in the Old Testament. Teaching Points The Danger of Hardened HeartsJust as a snake that refuses to listen to the charmer, individuals who harden their hearts against God's truth and correction are in spiritual peril. The Futility of Human Efforts Without GodThe skill of the enchanter is rendered useless against the deaf snake, illustrating that human wisdom and efforts are ineffective without divine intervention. The Call to Righteous LeadershipLeaders are called to be just and righteous, heeding God's guidance rather than being deaf to His commands, as the wicked rulers in the psalm. The Importance of Spiritual SensitivityBelievers are encouraged to remain sensitive to God's voice, unlike the snake that ignores the charmer, ensuring they are responsive to His guidance and correction. Trust in God's Ultimate JusticeDespite the apparent success of the wicked, believers can trust that God will ultimately bring justice, as He is not deaf to the cries of the righteous. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of a snake that refuses to listen to a charmer in Psalm 58:5 relate to the condition of a hardened heart? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we remain spiritually sensitive and responsive to God's guidance in our daily lives? 3. How does the theme of justice in Psalm 58 connect with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament, particularly in His interactions with the Pharisees? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid becoming like the "deaf snake" in our personal and spiritual lives? 5. How can we find comfort in God's ultimate justice when we encounter injustice and wickedness in the world today? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 29:1This verse speaks to the consequences of hardening one's heart against correction, similar to the snake that refuses to listen to the charmer. Jeremiah 8:17References serpents and adders that cannot be charmed, symbolizing the inescapable judgment on those who refuse to heed God's warnings. Matthew 23:33Jesus calls the Pharisees a "brood of vipers," highlighting the theme of spiritual deafness and resistance to truth. People David, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Binder, Caster, Charmer, Charmers, Charming, Charms, Cunning, Doesn't, Enchanter, Enchanters, Hearken, Hearkeneth, However, Listen, Matter, Moved, Powers, Skilful, Skillful, Spells, Tune, Voice, Whisperers, Wisely, Wonder-workerDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 58:5 5531 skill
8365 wisdom, human Psalm 58:4-5 4687 snake
5148 ear Library Of Internal Acts
Of Internal Acts Acts are distinguished into External and Internal. External acts are those which bear relation to some sensible object, and are either morally good or evil, merely according to the nature of the principle from which they proceed. I intend here to speak only of Internal acts, those energies of the soul, by which it turns internally to some objects, and averts from others. If during my application to God I should form a will to change the nature of my act, I thereby withdraw myself …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of PrayerEpistle vi. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari).
To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Gregory to Januarius, &c. The Jews who have come hither from your city have complained to us that Peter, who has been brought by the will of God from their superstition to the worship of Christian faith, having taken with him certain disorderly persons, on the day after his baptism, that is on the Lord's day of the very Paschal festival, with grave scandal and without your consent, had taken possession of their synagogue in Caralis, and placed there the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Faith the Sole Saving Act.
JOHN vi. 28, 29.--"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." In asking their question, the Jews intended to inquire of Christ what particular things they must do, before all others, in order to please God. The "works of God," as they denominate them, were not any and every duty, but those more special and important acts, by which the creature might secure …
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
Both by nature and by grace, Augustin was formed to be the champion of truth in this controversy. Of a naturally philosophical temperament, he saw into the springs of life with a vividness of mental perception to which most men are strangers; and his own experiences in his long life of resistance to, and then of yielding to, the drawings of God's grace, gave him a clear apprehension of the great evangelic principle that God seeks men, not men God, such as no sophistry could cloud. However much his …
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings Moral Depravity.
VIII. Let us consider the proper method of accounting for the universal and total moral depravity of the unregenerate moral agents of our race. In the discussion of this subject, I will-- 1. Endeavor to show how it is not to be accounted for. In examining this part of the subject, it is necessary to have distinctly in view that which constitutes moral depravity. All the error that has existed upon this subject, has been founded in false assumptions in regard to the nature or essence of moral depravity. …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses.
James I. 18. James I. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. I INTEND the words which I have now been reading, only as an introduction to that address to the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, with which I am now to conclude these lectures; and therefore shall not enter into any critical discussion, either of them, or of the context. I hope God has made the series of these discourses, in some measure, useful to those …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 58:5 NIVPsalm 58:5 NLTPsalm 58:5 ESVPsalm 58:5 NASBPsalm 58:5 KJV
Psalm 58:5 Commentaries
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