Psalms 58:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist appeals to God to disable the wicked's power to harm, using the image of breaking a predator's teeth.
The Context of Psalms 58:6
The psalmist turns from describing the wicked to pleading with God for their power to be broken.
What Does Psalms 58:6 Mean?
Teeth represent power to bite, tear, and destroy. Breaking the teeth of a lion renders it unable to devour prey. The parallel structure—'break their teeth / break out the great teeth of the young lions'—equates the wicked with hungry predators.
This is a prayer for divine intervention that would render the wicked powerless. The psalmist does not call for their death but for their capacity to harm to be destroyed. God is invoked as the one who alone has authority over life and power.
Psalms 58:6 in the Original Language
'Break' (Hebrew: nishbar, נִשְׁבַּר) can mean to shatter, fracture, or break off; applied to teeth, it suggests sudden, complete incapacity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 58:6
What does Psalms 58:6 mean?
The psalmist appeals to God to disable the wicked's power to harm, using the image of breaking a predator's teeth.
What is the context of Psalms 58:6?
The psalmist turns from describing the wicked to pleading with God for their power to be broken.