David reproves wicked counsellors and judges, who pervert justice, and stir up the strong against the weak and innocent, (v. 1-5). He foretells their destruction, and describes the nature of it, (v. 6-9). The righteous, seeing this, will magnify God’s justice and providence, (v. 10~11).
David called on God to deal with these unjust men. Breaking the teeth symbolizes painfully removing their ability to devour the people they oppressed. David viewed them as lions and serpents whose teeth and fangs needed crushing. He also asked God to remove them like water rushing away. He requested that their words would lack the ability to penetrate. He wanted them to melt away as snails do in the heat (v. 6-8).
The psalmist believed their destruction would be swift. Thorns used for firewood burn very quickly. David compared the unjust rulers to thorns. Their fiery evil would not last long enough to effect any change on the pot above them, a figure for other people whom they might influence.(v. 9).
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