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 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
God Who Judges the Earth
1To him that excelleth. Destroy not. A Psalme of David on Michtam. Is it true? O Congregation, speake ye iustly? O sonnes of men, iudge ye vprightly? 2Yea, rather ye imagine mischiefe in your heart: your hands execute crueltie vpon the earth. 3The wicked are strangers from ye wombe: euen from the belly haue they erred, and speake lyes. 4Their poyson is euen like the poyson of a serpent: like ye deafe adder that stoppeth his eare. 5Which heareth not the voyce of the inchanter, though he be most expert in charming. 6Breake their teeth, O God, in their mouthes: breake the iawes of the yong lions, O Lord. 7Let them melt like the waters, let them passe away: when hee shooteth his arrowes, let them be as broken. 8Let them consume like a snayle that melteth, and like the vntimely fruite of a woman, that hath not seene the sunne. 9As raw flesh before your pots feele the fire of thornes: so let him cary them away as with a whirlewinde in his wrath. 10The righteous shall reioyce when he seeeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feete in the blood of the wicked. 11And men shall say, Verily there is fruite for the righteous: doutlesse there is a God that iudgeth in the earth.