Psalms 58

6. He prays for their destruction, under the figure of ravenous beasts ( Psalms 3:7 , 7:2 ).

7. which run continually--literally, "they shall go to themselves," utterly depart, as rapid mountain torrents.
he bendeth . . . his arrows--prepares it. The term for preparing a bow applied to arrows ( Psalms 64:3 ).
let them . . . pieces--literally, "as if they cut themselves off"--that is, become blunted and of no avail.

8, 9. Other figures of this utter ruin; the last denoting rapidity. In a shorter time than pots feel the heat of thorns on fire--

9. he shall take them away as with a whirlwind--literally, "blow him (them) away."
both living . . . wrath--literally, "as the living" or fresh as the heated or burning--that is, thorns--all easily blown away, so easily and quickly the wicked. The figure of the "snail" perhaps alludes to its loss of saliva when moving. Though obscure in its clauses, the general sense of the passage is clear.

10, 11. wash . . . wicked--denoting great slaughter. The joy of triumph over the destruction of the wicked is because they are God's enemies, and their overthrow shows that He reigneth (compare Psalms 52:5-7 , 54:7 ). In this assurance let heaven and earth rejoice ( Psalms 96:10 , 97:1 , &c.).