Psalm 58 (57):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Not simply resembling the serpent, as the comparison does not suggest similarity to a creature, but the inclusion of a term associated with the serpent subtly alludes to the primal wickedness.

Their wrath resembles that of a serpent. In anger, they call the soul, comparing it to the serpent in the garden, which deceived and brought death with feigned kindness. Furthermore, the Jews similarly address Him with titles like 'Rabbi' and 'Teacher,' acknowledging, 'We know that you came from God' (John 3:2). These words, initially spoken by the righteous Nicodemus, align more closely with the sentiments expressed in Matthew 22:16. Yet, despite this facade, they conspired to hand Christ over for crucifixion, which starkly aligns them with the image of a serpent. Like a deaf adder that refuses to listen, they embody not just the serpent but also the aspid, which bears venom in its fangs and disregards the entreaties of those who might soothe its fury. This analogy reflects the Jews described by Isaiah, who 'have strained their ears' to avoid hearing the voice of the Lord (Isaiah 6:10).

The venom of the aspid is represented by irritability and anger, as they alter one’s countenance, disrupt one’s thoughts, weaken the body, and diminish a person's ability to carry out their duties; however, gentleness and love dispel all these afflictions.

Their wrath resembles that of a serpent. In their indignation and spite, they mirror the serpent. “As an asp is deaf and shuts its ears,” “He who does not hear the voice of those who speak shall be turned away from the wise.” They plug their ears like an asp, a creature that does so out of intense anger to avoid being ensnared by enchantments and to resist the influence of the concoctions devised by those deemed wise. The Prophet refers to these figures as wise in a non-subjective manner, as illustrated in the saying, “they are wise to do evil” (Jer. 4:22); and “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe?” (1 Cor. 1:20). Thus, Scripture designates them not as truly wise but rather according to how some choose to perceive them.

Their wrath resembles that of a serpent. Historians note that a serpent, filled with fury towards an individual, persists in its anger until it incurs harm upon that person or faces its own demise, as Gregory of Nyssa observes. He likens the fury of the wicked to the hostility of those enemies, perpetually adversarial. Nyssa elaborates that he did not merely use the term οθεως because Saul did not embody this creature in its entirety; rather, he included the term του, which through these images signifies the fundamental evil. This ancient serpent, having deceived Eve, feigned a cordial and amicable demeanor, but within its heart it plotted wickedness and augmented its actions with iniquity, ultimately leading to death.

The prophet, in his lament, begins by detailing the intense hostility of their adversaries, comparing their spite to that of venomous snakes. He then more vividly illustrates their treachery, equating them to deaf adders, who block their ears to the sound of both sides. This suggests that they are not merely simple serpents, but through their guile, they outsmart even the most shrewd figures who are adept at evading the tricks of sorcerers. Here, the term wise man refers to someone versed in the arts of magic or a tamer of animals. The veracity of the tale about an adder that covers its ears to avoid the sorcerer is not crucial to the essence of the psalm. Instead, David employs a metaphor as commonly understood by people, denigrating such individuals rather than praising them.

The Prophet, guided by the Holy Spirit, delivers a strong admonition in this psalm to his oppressors and all ungodly individuals, particularly the unrighteous Jews. Their futile opposition to the Lord Christ, who embodies no malice, stems from their reckless desire to tarnish the incorruptible and to undermine His divine majesty and honor, whose name endures perpetually: King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16). Such scorn is appropriate for unjust judges and rulers whose corrupt judgments and malevolent actions distort the truth, inciting a persecution similar to that which the Jews inflicted upon Christ God. Christ is the Just One, the avenger of death and Hades. Those who attempt to cleanse themselves from guilt—like Pilate, who washed his hands to declare himself innocent of Christ's blood—cannot truly absolve themselves from the wrongful shedding of innocent blood.

David traces the origin of all sins back to original sin and its fundamental guilt, linking it directly to the serpent of temptation. He likens the unrepentance of sinners to serpents that refuse to listen to their adversaries. In the East, it is reported that even today, people use spells to lull serpents into slumber and extract their venom, but when this method is ineffective, they claim the serpent has blocked its ears. Therefore, the passage, "Their fury is in the likeness of the serpent, as the aspid is deaf, and shutteth up his ears: he that heareth not the voice of them that obey, both are obeyed of the wise" (v.