Psalms 58 · Verse 5

Psalms 58:5

Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
Psalms 58:5, King James Version

Psalms 58:5 in other translations

BSBrefusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.
WEBwhich doesn’t listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be.
ASVWhich hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers, Charming never so wisely.
YLTWhich hearkeneth not to the voice of whisperers, A charmer of charms most skilful.
DARBYWhich doth not hearken to the voice of enchanters, of one charming ever so wisely.
BBEWho will not be moved by the voice of the wonder-worker, however great are his powers.
WebsterWhich will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

What does Psalms 58:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 58:3-5

3-5. describe the wicked generally, who sin naturally, easily, malignantly, and stubbornly.

Read the full comment on Psalms 58:3-5 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers - The old Psalter translates and paraphrases these two verses curiously: - Vulg. Furor illis secundum similitudinem serpentis; sicut aspidis surdae et obturantis aures suas: Quae non exaudiet vocem incantantium et venefici in cantantis sapienter. Trans. Wodes (madness) til thaim aftir the liking of the neddir, as of the snake doumb and stoppand her eres. Paraph. Right calles he tham wod, (mad), for that hafe na witte to se whider that ga: for that louke thair eghen, and rennys till the are thaire wodness til clumsthed that wil noght be turned as of the snake that festis (fastens) the ta ere til the erth, and the tother ere stoppis with hir taile: Sua do thai that thai here not Godis word; that stope thair eris with luf of erthli thing that thai delite thaim in; and with thair taile, that es with all synnes, that that will noght amend. Trans. The whith salle noght here the voyce of charmand, and of the venim in akare of charmand wisli. Paraph. This snake stopis hir eres that she be noght broth to light; for if she herd it, she come forth sone, he charmes swa wysli in his craft. Swa the wikkid men wit noght here the voyce of Crist and his lufers that are wys charmes; for thi wild (would) bring them till light of heven. Wyt ye well (know) that he (i.e., Christ) lufes noght charmars and venim makers but be (by) vices of bestes, he takes lickening of vices of men. It seems as if there were a species of snake or adder that is nearly deaf; and as their instinct informs them that if they listen to the sounds which charmers use they shall become a prey; therefore they stop their ears to prevent the little hearing they have from being the means of their destruction. To this the Old Psalter refers. We have also an account of a species of snake, which, if it cast its eye on the charmer, feels itself obliged to come out of its hole; it therefore keeps close, and takes care neither to see nor be seen. To this also the Old Psalter alludes; and of this fact, if it be one, he makes a good use.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 58:1-5

When wrong is done under the form of law, it is worse than any other; especially it is grievous to behold those who profess to be children of God, joining together against any of his people. We should thank the Lord for merciful restraints; we should be more earnest in seeking renewing grace, more watchful over ourselves, and more patient under the effects of fallen nature in others. The corruption of their nature…

Read the full comment on Psalms 58:1-5 →

Psalms 58:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherwhichH834
לֹא\־lo'-notH3808
יִ֭שְׁמַעYish.ma'it listensH8085
לְק֣וֹלle.Kolto [the] sound ofH6963
מְלַחֲשִׁ֑יםme.la.cha.ShimcharmersH3907
חוֹבֵ֖רcho.Ver[one who] castsH2266
חֲבָרִ֣יםcha.va.RimspellsH2267
מְחֻכָּֽם\׃me.chu.KamskillfulH2449

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 58:5

  • Jeremiah 8:17

    For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord.

  • Deuteronomy 18:11

    Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

  • Isaiah 19:3

    And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Which.That serpents might be charmed or rendered harmless was well known to the ancients. Virgil, and many others state the fact:--{Frigidus in pratis cantando, rumpitur anguis.} "In the meadows the cold snake is burst by incantation."
charming never so wisely. or, be the charmer never socunning.
De 18:11; Isa 19:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 58:4

    Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

  • Psalms 58:5

    Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

  • Psalms 58:6

    Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord.

Read all of Psalms 58

Psalms 58:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que no oye la voz de los que encantan, por más hábil que el encantador sea.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ils ont un venin semblable au venin d’un serpent, comme l’aspic sourd qui se bouche l’oreille,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Die nicht hört auf die Stimme der Beschwörer, des Zauberers, der der Zaubersprüche kundig ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Neque iniquitas mea, neque peccatum meum, Domine; sine iniquitate cucurri, et direxi.