David
Psalm 58
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
2Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
5Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
6Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
7Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Summary
Psalm 58 is a bold imprecatory psalm in which David confronts unjust rulers and calls on God to break the teeth of the wicked. He asks the congregation whether they indeed speak righteousness and judges whether they judge uprightly, then exposes their violence and deceit. The wicked are estranged from the womb, going astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies like a deaf adder that will not hear the charmer. David prays for God to break their teeth, melt them away like running waters, and let them pass like a snail or an untimely birth. The psalm closes with the righteous rejoicing in God’s vengeance and a confession: "Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth."
The major themes are injustice, wickedness, divine judgment, the reward of the righteous, and God as judge. Practically, the psalm teaches that God sees injustice and will judge it, and that the righteous may cry to Him for justice. The great lesson is that there is a God who judges in the earth.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 58
O God, do we indeed speak righteousness? Do we judge uprightly? Expose the wickedness of our hearts and the violence of our hands. The wicked go astray from the womb, speaking lies like a deaf adder. Break their teeth, O God; let them melt away as running waters. Let the righteous rejoice when they see Your vengeance. Let it be said, "Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily He is a God that judgeth in the earth." In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does this psalm confront injustice and call for God’s judgment?
- 2What does it mean that the wicked are "estranged from the womb"?
- 3How can the righteous rejoice in God’s vengeance without personal bitterness?
- 4Where do I need to trust that God is a God who judges in the earth?
Related Psalms
Psalm 53
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”
A parallel to Psalm 14 on universal corruption and longing for salvation.
Read morePsalm 54
“Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.”
A prayer for help against betrayers, trusting God to sustain.
Read morePsalm 59
“Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.”
A prayer for protection from assailants, praising God as fortress.
Read morePsalm 64
“Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.”
A prayer against secret schemers; God’s arrow will strike.
Read morePsalm 140
“Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;”
Psalm 140 is a lament of David against violent and deceitful enemies.
Read moreRelated Articles
Support BookofPsalms.org
If you find BookofPsalms.org helpful and would like to support the website, you may make a voluntary contribution through PayPal. Your support helps pay for the operation, hosting, maintenance, development, content, security, and continued improvement of BookofPsalms.org.
Independent Website & Contribution Disclosure
BookofPsalms.org is an independently operated, privately owned website. BookofPsalms.org is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or operated by any church, denomination, ministry, religious organization, charity, or nonprofit organization.
All funds contributed through BookofPsalms.org are received by the privately owned company that operates the website. Funds may be used by the company to support website hosting, maintenance, development, content creation, administration, advertising, technology, and other business and operating expenses.
Contributions are voluntary and are NOT tax-deductible charitable donations. BookofPsalms.org does not represent contributions as charitable donations or contributions to a nonprofit, church, ministry, or tax-exempt religious organization.
Receive weekly Psalms and prayers
A gentle Psalm, an original prayer, and a short reflection—delivered once a week.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.