◄ Psalm 58:6 ►
O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.
Study Bible
O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths
O God
This invocation is a direct appeal to the divine, emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on God's power and justice. The Hebrew word for God here is "Elohim," which denotes majesty and power. It reflects the psalmist's recognition of God's supreme authority over all creation and His ability to intervene in human affairs. This appeal sets the tone for the entire verse, highlighting the psalmist's faith in God's righteous judgment.

shatter
The Hebrew root word used here is "nathats," which means to break down, demolish, or destroy. This term conveys a sense of complete and utter destruction, indicating the psalmist's desire for God to decisively dismantle the power of the wicked. The use of such a strong verb underscores the severity of the situation and the psalmist's plea for divine intervention against those who perpetrate evil.

their teeth
In ancient Near Eastern culture, teeth symbolize strength and power. The imagery of teeth being shattered suggests the removal of the wicked's ability to harm or oppress others. This metaphorical language is a vivid depiction of the psalmist's desire for God to neutralize the destructive capabilities of the wicked, rendering them powerless.

in their mouths
The mouth is often associated with speech and the dissemination of words. By specifying "in their mouths," the psalmist may be highlighting the destructive nature of the wicked's words, which can be as harmful as physical actions. This phrase suggests a desire for God to silence the deceitful and harmful speech of the wicked, preventing them from causing further harm through their lies and slander.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of this Psalm, David is expressing a plea for divine justice against the wicked.

2. God (Elohim)
The supreme being to whom David directs his plea for intervention and justice.

3. Lions
Symbolic representation of the wicked and their destructive power, often used in biblical literature to depict danger and aggression.
Teaching Points
Divine Justice
The psalmist's plea for God to "shatter their teeth" reflects a deep trust in divine justice. Believers are encouraged to rely on God to address wrongs rather than taking vengeance into their own hands.

Symbolism of Lions
The use of lions as a metaphor for the wicked highlights the ferocity and danger posed by those who oppose righteousness. Christians are reminded to be aware of spiritual and moral threats.

Prayer as a Weapon
David's prayer is a powerful example of using prayer as a means to combat evil. Believers are encouraged to bring their struggles and concerns to God in prayer, trusting in His power to intervene.

Righteous Anger
The psalm reflects a righteous anger against injustice. It is important for Christians to discern when anger is justified and to channel it towards seeking God's will and justice.

Trust in God's Timing
The call for God to act against the wicked is a reminder that God's timing is perfect. Believers are encouraged to be patient and trust that God will act at the right time.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's plea for God to "shatter their teeth" challenge or affirm your understanding of divine justice?

2. In what ways can the imagery of lions in this verse help you identify and confront spiritual or moral threats in your life?

3. How can you incorporate prayer more effectively as a means to address the challenges and injustices you face?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced righteous anger. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from David's example?

5. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's timing when dealing with difficult situations or people? Consider other scriptures that encourage trust in God's plan.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 3:7
This verse also contains a plea for God to strike down the enemies, showing a consistent theme of seeking divine intervention against adversaries.

Proverbs 30:14
Describes people whose teeth are like swords, connecting to the imagery of destructive power and wickedness.

1 Peter 5:8
Warns believers to be vigilant against the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion, drawing a parallel to the destructive nature of the wicked.
Sermons
A Bold Protest Against Unrighteous JudgesC. Short Psalm 58:1-11
Faith in RighteousnessJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 58:1-11
Man in Many AspectsHomilistPsalm 58:1-11
The Perversion of JusticePlutarch.Psalm 58:1-11
Unjust JudgesW. Forsyth Psalm 58:1-11
People
David, Psalmist, Saul
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Break, Broken, Cheek-teeth, Fangs, Jaw-teeth, Lions, Mouth, Mouths, O, Pulled, Shatter, Tear, Teeth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 58:6

     4666   lion
     5189   teeth

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 Prayer

Epistle 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

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