Psalms 58

A Cry against Injustice

1

For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy." A Davidic Miktam.

1 Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones?^[a] Do you judge people fairly?

2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts; with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.

3 The wicked go astray from the womb; liars err from birth.

4 They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,

5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers who skillfully weave spells.^[b]

6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths; Lord, tear out the young lions' fangs.

7 They will vanish like water that flows by; they will aim their useless arrows.^{[c] [d]}

8 Like a slug that moves along in slime, like a woman's miscarried [child], they will not see the sun.^[e]

9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns- whether green or burning- He will sweep them away.^[f]

10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the retribution;^[g] he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 Then people will say, "Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth!"

Psalms 58 Commentary

Chapter 58

Wicked judges described and reproved. (1-5) A prayer that they may be disabled, and their ruin predicted. (6-11)

Verses 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 was the root of bitterness. We may see in children the wickedness of the world beginning. They go astray from God and their duty as soon as possibly they can. And how soon will little children tell lies! It is our duty to take pains to teach them, and above all, earnestly to pray for converting grace to make our children new creatures. Though the poison be within, much of it may be kept from breaking forth to injure others. When the Saviour's words are duly regarded, the serpent becomes harmless. But those who refuse to hear heavenly wisdom, must perish miserably, for ever.

Verses 6-11 David prayed that the enemies of God's church and people might be disabled to do further mischief. We may, in faith, pray against the designs of the enemies of the church. He foretells their ruin. And who knows the power of God's anger? The victories of the Just One, in his own person and that of his servants, over the enemies of man's salvation, produce a joy which springs not from revenge, but from a view of the Divine mercy, justice, and truth, shown in the redemption of the elect, the punishment of the ungodly, and the fulfilment of the promises. Whoever duly considers these things, will diligently seek the reward of righteousness, and adore the Providence which orders all thing aright in heaven and in earth.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Can you really speak righteousness in silence?
• [b]. Ec 10:11; Jr 8:17
• [c]. Or their arrows as if they were circumcised; Hb obscure
• [d]. Or they wither like trampled grass
• [e]. Jb 3:16
• [f]. Or thorns, He will sweep it away, whether raw or cooking, or thorns, He will sweep him away alive in fury
• [g]. Jr 11:20
• [h]. Ps 50:6; 75:7

Chapter Summary

To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. According to the Syriac version, this psalm was written when Saul threatened the priests, because they did not show him where David was, when they knew it. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that the title "Altaschith" refers to David's not destroying Nabal, as he threatened; and that the venom of Nabal's tongue in reviling him, and the deafness of his ears in not attending to the messengers that told their errand wisely, are designed in this psalm; and in which the psalmist prophesies of his sudden death, before the pots for his feast could be warmed by the thorns under them, and while he was lively and jovial. Jarchi is of opinion that it was composed after David had been in the trench where Saul lay, and took away the spear and cruse, and went his way, and called to Abner, saying, "answerest thou not?" which is as if he should say, hast thou it not in thy power now to convince Saul, and show him that he pursues me without cause, since, if I would, I could have slain him? Kimchi says it was written on account of Abner, and the rest of Saul's princes, who judged David as a rebel against the government, and said it was for Saul to pursue after him to slay him; for if they had restrained him, Saul would not have pursued after him; and indeed they seem to be wicked judges who are addressed in this psalm; "do not destroy." Arama says, it declares the wickedness of Saul's judges.