Psalm 58 (57):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As we have been informed, even those who have diligently studied the matter proclaim insights, yet the understanding of the Spirit of God surpasses that of any human being. This statement is not without purpose; it may indeed reflect the truth regarding the serpent. When a sorcerer attempts to summon a snake with specific incantations, pay attention to his actions. Consider the details you gather for both comparison and avoidance. Similarly, this analogy draws from the sorcerer who calls forth a snake from its shadowy hiding place, intending to bring it into the light.

Their wrath resembles that of the serpent. In anger, he calls upon the soul, referring to it as akin to the serpent in the garden, which brought about death while appearing to speak kindly. Likewise, the Jews expressed sentiments such as 'Rabbi' and 'Teacher,' affirming 'We know that you have come from God' (John 3:2); although these words were spoken by the righteous Nicodemus, the context of Matthew 22:16 better illustrates their intent. They echoed this type of sentiment while conspiring to hand Christ over for crucifixion, thus portraying themselves in the image of a serpent. Like the deaf asp that refuses to listen, they are not only comparable to the serpent but to an asp that harbors venom in its fangs and is unwilling to heed the charmers, remaining in its rage. This is attributed to the Jews, as stated in Isaiah, who 'have made their ears heavy' to avoid hearing the words of the Lord (Isaiah 6:10).

Their wrath resembles that of the serpent. In their objections and spite, they mimic the serpent. "As a serpent is deaf and closes its ears," "He who does not hear the voices of those who speak shall be turned away from the wise." They block their ears like a serpent does, often driven by intense anger, to resist being entranced by enchantments and to avoid yielding to the influence of the concoctions made by those who consider themselves knowledgeable. The Prophet refers to them as wise not in a genuine sense, but in a manner reflecting the view of some who regard them as such, as indicated in the phrase: "they are wise to do evil" (Jer. 4:22) and "where is the wise man? Where is the scribe?" (1 Cor. 1:20).

In this passage, David refers to those who capture wild creatures, known as enchanters, who through specific incantations, wicked words, and sorcery, are able to subdue the wrath and aggression of serpents. Once tamed, they utilize these creatures for medicinal purposes. The aspid, and particularly what Didymus calls the murderous serpent, perceiving signs of this taming attempt, blocks its ears to avoid hearing the enticing charm that might calm its rage and thus evade capture. The sequence of these thoughts could be framed as such: their fury resembles that of the serpent and the aspid, which refuse to heed the call of the enchanters. The wise ones—the cunning holders of beasts or traps—attempt their enchantments, but the serpents remain unyielding.

The prophet, in expressing his lament, begins by illustrating the intense malevolence of their adversaries, comparing it to the venomous nature of serpents. He then elaborates on their deceitful and sly nature, equating them to deaf aspirates who turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the truth. In doing so, he implies that these foes are not merely ordinary serpents; through their guile, they even outsmart the most astute aspirates, who protect themselves from the schemes of practitioners of sorcery. In this context, the term "wise man" refers to someone well-versed in the arts of magic or an animal charmer. Whether the tale of the aspid, who covers its ears to avoid the magician’s call, carries truth or is mere legend does not affect the essence of the psalm.

The Prophet, guided by the Holy Spirit, in this psalm strongly admonishes his oppressors and all wicked individuals, particularly the unrighteous among the Jews, for their futile opposition against the Lord Christ, who embodies no malice. In their madness, they attempt to tarnish the incorruptible and extinguish His divine honor and glory, His name eternally inscribed: King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16). Such reproach is fitting for unjust judges and rulers who, through their wicked judgments and sinful actions, distort the truth and incite persecution akin to that of the Jews against Christ, the God of all. Christ is the Just One, the champion against death and hell. They wash their hands in blood, claiming purity to distance themselves from the bloodshed, just as Pilate sought to absolve himself from the blood of Christ.

David traces the origins of sin back to its source, identifying the serpent as the initial agent of temptation. He illustrates the obstinacy of sinners by likening them to serpents that close their ears to their adversaries. Travelers in the East, even today, employ charms to lull the serpent into slumber, allowing them to extract its venom and capture it; when this endeavor fails, it is said that the serpent has blocked out sound. The phrase "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.