Psalms 58
Psalms 58 is part of “Book II: The Exodus Book” (42–72) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 58 summary
It is the probable conjecture of some (Amyraldus particularly) that before Saul began to persecute David by force of arms, and raised the militia to seize him, he formed a process against him by course of law, upon which he was condemned unheard, and attainted as a traitor, by the great council, or supreme court of judicature, and then proclaimed "qui caput gerit lupinum - an outlawed wolf," whom any man might kill and no man might protect. The elders, in order to curry favour with Saul, having passed this bill of attainder, it is supposed that David penned this psalm on the occasion. I. He describes their sin, and aggravates that (Psa…
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It is the probable conjecture of some (Amyraldus particularly) that before Saul began to persecute David by force of arms, and raised the militia to seize him, he formed a process against him by course of law, upon which he was condemned unheard, and attainted as a traitor, by the great council, or supreme court of judicature, and then proclaimed "qui caput gerit lupinum - an outlawed wolf," whom any man might kill and no man might protect. The elders, in order to curry favour with Saul, having passed this bill of attainder, it is supposed that David penned this psalm on the occasion. I. He describes their sin, and aggravates that (Psa 58:1-5). II. He imprecates and foretels their ruin, and the judgments which the righteous God would bring upon them for their injustice (Psa 58:6-9) which would redound, 1. To the comfort of the saints (Psa 58:10). 2. To the glory of God (Psa 58:11). Sin appears here both exceedingly sinful and exceedingly dangerous, and God a just avenger of wrong, with which we should be affected in singing this psalm. To the chief musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 58 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
God Who Judges the Earth
1For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam. Do ye indeed in silence speak righteousness? Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? 2Nay, in heart ye work wickedness; Ye weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth. 3The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. 4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: [They are] like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, 5Which hearkeneth not 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 Jehovah. 7Let them melt away as water that runneth apace: When he aimeth his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off. 8[Let them be] as a snail which melteth and passeth away, [Like] the untimely birth of a woman, that hath not seen the sun. 9Before your pots can feel the thorns, He will take them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike. 10The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked; 11So that men shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.