ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 58
“so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”
Psalms 58:11
The psalmist declares to the people that there is a reward for the righteous and a divine judgment, answering the cry for justice against the wicked.
What Psalm 58 is about
The psalmist challenges corrupt judges, asking if they speak righteousness and judge blamelessly (vv. 1-2). He asserts that the wicked plot injustice and measure violence in their hearts. He describes their nature, stating they stray from birth and speak lies (vv. 3-5). Their words are compared to snake poison, and they ignore the charmers' calls. The psalmist calls for divine justice, asking God to break the teeth of the wicked and let them vanish like water (vv. 6-8). He wishes their arrows to be blunt and compares them to a melting snail or a stillborn child. He expresses assurance that the righteous will rejoice when they see God's vengeance and will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked (vv. 9-10). This leads to the affirmation that there is a reward for the righteous and a God who judges the earth (v. 11).
The psalm leaves readers with the assurance that God judges the earth and rewards the righteous.
Psalm 58 at a glance
- Psalm 58:1–2Challenge to Corrupt Judges
- Psalm 58:3–5Nature of the Wicked
- Psalm 58:6–8Calls for Divine Justice
- Psalm 58:9–10Assurance of Righteous Reward
- Psalm 58:11God as Judge of the Earth
Key verse: Psalms 58:11
One thing to notice
The psalmist questions corrupt judges in verses 1-2, asking if they truly 'speak righteousness' and 'judge blamelessly.' They are accused of plotting 'injustice' and 'violence.' The judges are held accountable for their actions and moral failures.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 58 (WEB)
Challenge to Corrupt Judges Psalm 58:1–2
1Verse 1. Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones?Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?2Verse 2. No, in your heart you plot injustice.You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.
Nature of the Wicked Psalm 58:3–5
3Verse 3. The wicked go astray from the womb.They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.4Verse 4. Their poison is like the poison of a snake;like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,5Verse 5. which doesn’t listen to the voice of charmers,no matter how skillful the charmer may be.
Calls for Divine Justice Psalm 58:6–8
6Verse 6. Break their teeth, God, in their mouth.Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.7Verse 7. Let them vanish like water that flows away.When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.8Verse 8. Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away,like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.
Assurance of Righteous Reward Psalm 58:9–10
9Verse 9. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns,he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.10Verse 10. The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance.He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;
God as Judge of the Earth Psalm 58:11
11Verse 11. so 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)
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Main themes in Psalm 58
justice
In Psalm 58, justice is portrayed as a divine attribute, particularly in relation to the wicked. In v. 10, it states that 'the righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance', implying that God's justice will ultimately be executed. This assurance of divine retribution reinforces the idea that there is a moral order in the world, upheld by God as the ultimate judge.
corruption
The psalm addresses corruption through a direct challenge to unjust judges in vv. 1-2. It questions their ability to 'speak righteousness' and to 'judge blamelessly', suggesting they are plotting injustice and measuring out violence. The corruption is further emphasized by describing the wicked's nature as inherently deceitful from birth in v. 3, portraying a deep-seated moral failing.
divine intervention
Divine intervention is requested in v. 6, where the psalmist calls on God to 'break their teeth' and render the wicked powerless. This plea for intervention indicates the psalmist's belief that only God can address the rampant injustice and corruption in the world. As the chapter progresses, it portrays God’s active role in ensuring that the wicked do not prevail.
righteousness
Righteousness is affirmed as the standard against which the actions of the wicked are measured. In v. 11, it declares that 'most certainly there is a reward for the righteous', presenting a clear contrast between the fate of the wicked and those who uphold justice. The psalm emphasizes that righteousness will be recognized and rewarded by God, providing assurance to the faithful.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 58 unfolds
Psalm 58:1–2 Challenge to Corrupt Judges
The psalmist questions the judges, asking if they truly 'speak righteousness' and 'judge blamelessly,' then accuses them of plotting injustice and measuring out violence in their hearts and actions (vv. 1-2).
Psalm 58:3–5 Nature of the Wicked
It states that the wicked are inherently deceitful from birth, comparing their words to the lies of a snake, emphasizing their natural inclination toward wrongdoing (vv. 3-5).
Psalm 58:6–8 Calls for Divine Justice
The psalmist calls for God to take action against the wicked, asking Him to 'break their teeth' and make their weapons ineffective, invoking a desire for divine intervention (vv. 6-8).
Psalm 58:9–10 Assurance of Righteous Reward
The psalmist expresses confidence that the righteous will rejoice at God's judgment, depicted through vivid imagery of triumph over the wicked (vv. 9-10).
Psalm 58:11 God as Judge of the Earth
The concluding verse affirms God's role as the ultimate judge, declaring that there is a reward for the righteous and a certainty of divine justice in the earth (v. 11).
Key verses
Psalms 58:11The psalmist declares to the people that there is a reward for the righteous and a divine judgment, answering the cry for justice against the wicked.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 58
- observeIn v1, what do the 'silent ones' claim to speak about?
- observeIn v4, how does the psalmist compare the wicked's poison?
- interpretThe imagery of 'snail' in v8: what is it meant to convey about the wicked?
- interpretThe phrase 'break their teeth' in v6: what does this suggest about the psalmist's request to God?
- applyWhen have you felt like the righteous who will 'rejoice' (v10) at justice being done?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 58
- Psalm 14Psalm 58:3 and Psalm 14:3Both speak of corruption: Psalm 58:3 describes the wicked as speaking lies, while Psalm 14:3 notes there is no one who does good.
- Psalm 51Psalm 58:3 and Psalm 51:5Both mention sinfulness: Psalm 58:3 states the wicked speak lies, while Psalm 51:5 acknowledges being born in iniquity.
- Psalm 64Psalm 58:11 and Psalm 64:9Both declare God’s justice: Psalm 58:11 affirms a reward for the righteous, while Psalm 64:9 notes mankind shall declare God’s work.
- Psalm 91Psalm 58:4 and Psalm 91:13Both mention serpents: Psalm 58:4 compares poison to a snake’s, while Psalm 91:13 speaks of treading on serpents.
- Malachi 3Psalm 58:10 and Malachi 3:18Both address the righteous: Psalm 58:10 emphasizes rejoicing in vengeance, while Malachi 3:18 distinguishes between the righteous and wicked.
- Psalm 94Psalm 58:2 and Psalm 94:20Both address injustice: Psalm 58:2 describes plotting violence, while Psalm 94:20 questions wickedness in governance.
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