Psalms 58
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1Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men? 2No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth. 3The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies. 4Their poison is like the poison of a snake; like a deaf cobra that stops its ear, 5which doesn’t listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be. 6Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh. 7Let them vanish like water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt. 8Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun. 9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike. 10The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked; 11so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth."”
Psalms 58:11
Summary
Psalms chapter 58 addresses the theme of justice and the moral failures of corrupt judges. The psalmist begins with a rhetorical question, challenging the judges of the earth about their inability to judge righteously. This psalm is a lament and an imprecatory psalm, where David calls upon God to bring about justice against the wicked who pervert justice and speak lies. Using vivid imagery, such as referring to the wicked as venomous serpents, David underscores the depth of their corruption and the danger they pose to society. Additionally, the psalm portrays a hope for divine justice, urging God to intervene and render the wicked powerless. The chapter concludes with a confident expectation that the righteous will rejoice when they see God's justice prevail, affirming that there is indeed a reward for the righteous and a divine judge over the earth.
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Chapter outline
How Psalms 58 unfolds
Psalm 58:1–2 Challenge to Corrupt Judges
The psalmist questions the righteousness of judges, accusing them of plotting injustice and measuring out violence rather than upholding law.
Psalm 58:3–5 Nature of the Wicked
The text describes the wicked as fundamentally corrupt from birth, likening their deceit to the venom of snakes that refuse to listen.
Psalm 58:6–8 Calls for Divine Justice
The psalmist petitions God to neutralize the wicked, using vivid metaphors like breaking teeth and likening them to a melting snail.
Psalm 58:9–10 Assurance of Righteous Reward
The imagery shifts to a confident expectation that the righteous will witness God's vengeance against the wicked and rejoice.
Psalm 58:11 God as Judge of the Earth
The chapter concludes with an affirmation of divine justice, proclaiming that God does indeed judge and reward righteousness.
Key verses
Psalms 58:11The key verse encapsulates the psalm's main assertion about God's role as a judge who rewards righteousness.
Main themes in Psalms 58
justice
Justice is central to this psalm, as seen in verses 1-2, where the psalmist openly challenges the corrupt judges who fail to uphold righteousness. Throughout the chapter, the psalmist portrays God's intervention as essential for justice to be realized among those who perpetrate wickedness. The assurance of God's eventual judgment emphasizes a hope for righteousness to prevail, allowing the faithful to trust in the ultimate establishment of justice in the world.
corruption
Corruption is depicted vividly in verses 3-5, where the wicked are characterized as liars from birth, revealing a profound moral failure. Their deceitful nature highlights the pervasive decay within society, which the psalmist laments through stark imagery and distressing language. This portrayal signifies the deep-rooted issues in human behavior that necessitate divine action, emphasizing that such corruption cannot be overcome without God's intervention.
divine intervention
Divine intervention is requested in verses 6-8, as the psalmist earnestly seeks God's power to restrain the wicked and counter their harmful actions. This call for divine action illustrates the belief that only God can rectify the pervasive injustice and corruption manifested in society. The expectation of God's response underscores the theme of hope in divine justice, reassuring the faithful that they are not abandoned in their struggle against evil.
righteousness
Righteousness is celebrated in verse 11, affirming the existence of a just God who rewards the righteous. The psalmist contrasts the outcomes for the wicked and the righteous, emphasizing a moral order upheld by God. This affirmation serves both as a warning to the wicked and an encouragement for the faithful.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 58
- Psalm 14This psalm echoes themes of human corruption and the Lord's judgment on the wicked.
- Psalm 51The call for divine intervention in this psalm connects with the desire for repentance and restoration found in Psalm 51.
- Psalm 64This psalm develops the theme of divine justice against the plots of the wicked, similar to the pleas found in Psalm 58.
- Psalm 91The assurance of God's protection for the righteous in Psalm 91 resonates with the promise of justice here.
- Malachi 3Malachi connects with this psalm's message about God's active role in judging the wicked and rewarding the righteous.
- Psalm 94The themes of vengeance and justice in Psalm 94 connect with the psalmist's cries for divine retribution in Psalm 58.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 58
- What accusations does the psalmist make against the judges in verses 1-2?
- How does the imagery of poison in verses 4-5 reflect the nature of the wicked?
- What requests does the psalmist make to God in verses 6-8?
- How does the psalmist express confidence in the outcome for the righteous in verse 10?
- What does the final verse suggest about God's character and His role as judge?
- What contrasts are drawn between the wicked and the righteous throughout this psalm?
- In what ways does this psalm reflect the broader theme of justice in the Psalms?
Psalms 58: frequently asked questions
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