KJV
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?
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.
6¶ Break 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.
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Adder Asp of Obstinate Rejecters of God's Word Psalm 58:4, 5
Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, / refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.
Adder Asp: Not to be Charmed Psalm 58:5
refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.
Adder: A Venomous Serpent Psalm 58:4
Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,
Age of Accountability Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
Arrow: Figurative Psalm 58:7
May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted.
Being Born in Sin Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
Being Born in to Sin Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
Blood of Victories Psalm 58:10
The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
Blood: (Washing the Feet In) Victories Psalm 58:10
The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
Character of the Wicked: Lying Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
Charmers and Charming of Serpents Psalm 58:4, 5
Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, / refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.
David: King of Israel: Probably Writes Psalms Eleven at This Period of his Life Psalm 58:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
Death of the Wicked Psalm 58:9
Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—whether green or dry—He will sweep them away.
Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 58:1–5
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? / No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth. / The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
Destruction Psalm 58:10
The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
Falsehood: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
God: Grace of Psalm 58:11
Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”
God: Judge, and his Justice Psalm 58:11
Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”
Heredity: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Psalm 58:3–5
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth. / Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, / refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.
Injustice: Saints should Testify Against Psalm 58:1, 2
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? / No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
Judge: Character of, and Precepts Relating To Psalm 58:1, 2
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? / No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
Lying: The Wicked: Addicted To, from Their Infancy Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
Music: Al-Taschith: It Appears in the Titles of Psalm 58:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Psalms 58:1-5 Verses 1-5
When wrong is done under the form of law, it is worse than any other; especially it is grievous to behold those who profess to be children of God, joining together against any of his people. We should thank the Lord for merciful restraints; we should be more earnest in seeking renewing grace, more watchful over ourselves, and more patient under the effects of fallen nature in others. The corruption of their nature was the root of bitterness. We may see in children the wickedness of the world beginning. They go astray from God and their duty as soon as possibly they can. And how soon will little children tell lies! It is our duty to take pains to teach them, and above all, earnestly to pray for converting grace to make our children new creatures. Though the poison be within, much of it may be kept from breaking forth to injure others. When the Saviour's words are duly regarded, the serpent becomes harmless. But those who refuse to hear heavenly wisdom, must perish miserably, for ever.
Psalms 58:6-11 Verses 6-11
David prayed that the enemies of God's church and people might be disabled to do further mischief. We may, in faith, pray against the designs of the enemies of the church. He foretells their ruin. And who knows the power of God's anger? The victories of the Just One, in his own person and that of his servants, over the enemies of man's salvation, produce a joy which springs not from revenge, but from a view of the Divine mercy, justice, and truth, shown in the redemption of the elect, the punishment of the ungodly, and the fulfilment of the promises. Whoever duly considers these things, will diligently seek the reward of righteousness, and adore the Providence which orders all thing aright in heaven and in earth.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
Historical, contextual, and verse-level study notes for deeper biblical exploration.
Psalms 58:1 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
O congregation--literally, "Oh, dumb"; the word used is never translated "congregation." "Are ye dumb? ye should speak righteousness," may be the translation. In any case, the writer remonstrates with them, perhaps a council, who were assembled to try his cause, and bound to give a right decision.
Psalms 58:1-11 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
persecution probably occasioned this Psalm, in which the Psalmist teaches that the innate and actual sinfulness of men deserves, and shall receive, God's righteous vengeance, while the pious may be consoled by the evidence of His wise and holy government of men.
Psalms 58:2 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
This they did not design; but weigh ... violence--or give decisions of violence. Weigh is a figure to express the acts of judges. in the earth--publicly. 3-5. describe the wicked generally, who sin naturally, easily, malignantly, and stubbornly.
Psalms 58:4 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
stoppeth her--literally, "his." ear--that is, the wicked man (the singular used collectively), who thus becomes like the deaf adder which has no ear.
Psalms 58:6 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
He prays for their destruction, under the figure of ravenous beasts (Ps 3:7; 7:2).
Psalms 58:7 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
which run continually--literally, "they shall go to themselves," utterly depart, as rapid mountain torrents. he bendeth ... his arrows--prepares it. The term for preparing a bow applied to arrows (Ps 64:3). let them ... pieces--literally, "as if they cut themselves off"--that is, become blunted and of no avail.
Psalms 58:8-9 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
Other figures of this utter ruin; the last denoting rapidity. In a shorter time than pots feel the heat of thorns on fire--
Psalms 58:9 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
he shall take them away as with a whirlwind--literally, "blow him (them) away." both living ... wrath--literally, "as the living" or fresh as the heated or burning--that is, thorns--all easily blown away, so easily and quickly the wicked. The figure of the "snail" perhaps alludes to its loss of saliva when moving. Though obscure in its clauses, the general sense of the passage is clear.
Psalms 58:10-11 David's critical condition in some period of the Sauline
wash ... wicked--denoting great slaughter. The joy of triumph over the destruction of the wicked is because they are God's enemies, and their overthrow shows that He reigneth (compare Ps 52:5-7; 54:7). In this assurance let heaven and earth rejoice (Ps 96:10; 97:1, &c.). PSALM 59