Psalms 58:6
Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
Original Language Analysis
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים
O God
H430
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים
O God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
1 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
שִׁנֵּ֥ימוֹ
their teeth
H8127
שִׁנֵּ֥ימוֹ
their teeth
Strong's:
H8127
Word #:
3 of 8
a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff
בְּפִ֑ימוֹ
in their mouth
H6310
בְּפִ֑ימוֹ
in their mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
4 of 8
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Cross References
Psalms 3:7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.Job 29:17And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.Hosea 5:14For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.Micah 5:8And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Historical Context
Lions were literal threats in ancient Israel, making the metaphor immediately accessible. Samson's tearing the lion's jaw (Judges 14:6) and David's protection of sheep from lions (1 Samuel 17:34-36) made this imagery especially meaningful in David's writing.
Questions for Reflection
- How do imprecatory prayers function as appeals to divine justice rather than personal revenge?
- What is the relationship between praying for God's judgment and personally forgiving enemies?
Analysis & Commentary
David's imprecatory prayer for God to 'break their teeth' uses predatory animal imagery—removing the lion's fangs eliminates its threat. This is not personal vengeance but appeal for divine justice to protect the vulnerable. The Hebrew 'haras' (break/tear down) appears in contexts of God dismantling evil structures, showing that prayer against wickedness aligns with God's own purposes.