Overview
Psalm 58 delves into the realm of social justice and moral accountability, addressing the wicked and their deeds with sharp criticism. The psalmist doesn't hold back, describing a world steeped in injustice and overseen by corrupt leaders. Yet, amid the bleak portrayal of humanity's failings, there is a palpable expectation for divine intervention. The psalmist cries out for God to shatter the teeth of the wicked, essentially disarming their power to harm. As much as it is an expose of societal decay, it is also a prayer for ultimate justice to be meted out by God Himself. The ending notes resound with confidence that eventually, everyone will recognize God’s righteous judgments. Psalm 58 serves as a solemn reminder that, despite the inequities we see around us, God is the ultimate judge, and His justice will not sleep forever.
Psalms 58
1 (To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.) Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8 As 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.
9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
🔑 Devotion
End of Psalms 58
1 Year Plan: May 21 - 1 Kgs 8, 1 Kgs 9, Ps 58 [next day]
2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;
5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8 As 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.
9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
🔑 Devotion
End of Psalms 58
1 Year Plan: May 21 - 1 Kgs 8, 1 Kgs 9, Ps 58 [next day]