Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 58:5

"Which hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers, Charming never so wisely." — Psalms 58:5 (ASV)

Charmers. —Heb., melachashîm, a word undoubtedly formed from the sound made by the charmer in imitating the snake, in order to entice it from its hole. Lane, in Modern Egyptians, describing a snake charmer at his task, says: “He assumes an air of mystery, strikes the walls with a short palm stick, whistles, makes a clacking noise with his tongue.” The art of serpent charming, and the magic connected with it, was of great antiquity in Egypt, and passed from there to surrounding countries.

Charming never so wisely. —Literally, one tying knots wisely, that is, a most skilful charmer.