Psalm 58: God’s Righteous Judgment on Earth and the Wicked

✨ Executive Summary

Psalm 58 is a powerful lament and imprecation against unjust rulers and the wicked, pleading for God’s righteous judgment to prevail. The psalm paints a vivid picture of those who distort justice, speak falsehood, and are likened to venomous serpents. It is a call for divine intervention to shatter their power and render their plots ineffective. Ultimately, Psalm 58 is a testament to God’s unwavering commitment to justice and a reminder that the righteous will rejoice when they witness His vindication. This speaks to the core of our Coptic Orthodox understanding of divine justice and the inevitable triumph of good over evil. Understanding God’s righteous judgment is crucial for navigating a world often filled with injustice. We, as believers, must continuously pray for God’s will to be done and for the ultimate triumph of righteousness.

Introduction: Psalm 58 is a cry from the heart of the righteous, witnessing injustice and pleading for God’s intervention. It is a call for divine justice in a world steeped in wickedness, a timeless theme relevant to us even today.

Commentary Sections

Psalm 58:1 (KJV) Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? (NKJV) Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones? Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men?

The Psalm begins with a piercing question directed at those in positions of power and authority: “Do you indeed speak righteousness?” The Hebrew here, as translated in the Septuagint, challenges those who are supposed to be dispensers of justice. Are they truly upholding righteousness, or are they perverting it for their own gain? This verse challenges the integrity of leadership, questioning whether their words and actions align with God’s standard of righteousness. The implication is that these rulers, or “sons of men,” are failing in their duty to judge uprightly. We must ask ourselves this question too: are our words and actions reflective of God’s will, or are we prioritizing our own selfish desires?

Spiritual Application: This verse serves as a potent reminder of the importance of integrity and accountability, not only for those in leadership but for all believers. We are called to speak and act in accordance with God’s righteousness in all aspects of our lives, reflecting His justice in our interactions with others.

Psalm 58:2 (KJV) Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. (NKJV) No, in heart you work wickedness; You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.

This verse delves deeper into the root of injustice, revealing that wickedness is not merely an outward action but stems from a corrupted heart. “In heart ye work wickedness” indicates that their thoughts, intentions, and desires are aligned with evil. “Ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth” suggests a deliberate and calculated application of violence and oppression. This is not accidental; it is a planned course of action rooted in a sinful heart. This verse paints a bleak picture of a society where wickedness is not only present but actively cultivated and executed.

Patristic Insight: St. Athanasius, in his *Contra Gentes*, speaks of the heart as the wellspring of action, noting that a corrupt heart inevitably leads to corrupt deeds (Ἀθανάσιος, Κατὰ Ἐθνῶν, PG 25:33). Athanasius emphasizes that true righteousness begins with purifying the heart.

Spiritual Application: We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against wickedness. Through prayer, repentance, and the sacraments of the Church, we can cleanse our hearts and cultivate a disposition towards righteousness.

Psalm 58:3 (KJV) The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. (NKJV) The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

This verse paints a stark picture of innate depravity. “The wicked are estranged from the womb” suggests that from the earliest stages of life, they are inclined towards evil. “They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” highlights the immediate manifestation of their sinful nature. While this is not to say that all are inherently evil, it emphasizes the pervasive influence of sin and the need for divine grace to overcome it. The Coptic Orthodox Church acknowledges the reality of original sin, inherited from Adam, which inclines us towards sin from birth. This verse reflects that inherent inclination.

Spiritual Application: This verse underscores the importance of early Christian education and spiritual formation. We must diligently teach our children the truth of God’s word and guide them towards a life of righteousness from a young age.

Psalm 58:4 (KJV) Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear; (NKJV) Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear,

The Psalmist employs vivid imagery, comparing the wicked to venomous serpents. “Their poison is like the poison of a serpent” emphasizes the destructive nature of their words and actions. “They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear” suggests a deliberate refusal to hear and heed the voice of reason, justice, or truth. The adder, or cobra, in this context, is not simply deaf, but actively blocks its ears to avoid hearing the charmer’s call. This refusal to listen symbolizes the hardened hearts of the wicked and their resistance to any form of correction or guidance.

Spiritual Application: We must be wary of those who spread deceit and falsehood, and we must cultivate a willingness to listen to the truth, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. We should also remember that the devil is called the “serpent” in Genesis. This reminds us that the wicked participate in the devil’s venomous work.

Psalm 58:5 (KJV) Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. (NKJV) Which will not heed the voice of charmers, Charming ever so skillfully.

This verse further emphasizes the stubbornness of the wicked. Even the most skilled “charmers,” representing those who try to persuade them towards good, are unable to penetrate their hardened hearts. The wicked are so set in their ways that they refuse to be swayed by wisdom, reason, or moral appeal. This highlights the depth of their depravity and the futility of attempting to reason with those who have deliberately rejected righteousness. This stubborn rejection of wisdom is a common theme throughout the Old Testament, and is relevant for us today as well.

Spiritual Application: We should pray for those who are entrenched in wickedness, asking God to soften their hearts and open their ears to the truth. We should also guard ourselves against becoming hardened to God’s voice, remaining open to His guidance and correction.

Psalm 58:6 (KJV) Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. (NKJV) Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!

Here the Psalmist cries out for divine judgment, using powerful imagery to convey the intensity of his plea. “Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth” is a call to render the wicked powerless, unable to inflict further harm. “Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord” likens the wicked to ferocious predators, and the Psalmist asks God to remove their ability to devour and destroy. While the language may seem harsh, it reflects the Psalmist’s deep sense of justice and his desire to see the oppressed delivered from their oppressors. The “teeth” represent the means by which the wicked inflict harm and injustice. This is a plea for God to disarm them.

Spiritual Application: While we are not called to take vengeance into our own hands, we can pray for God to thwart the plans of the wicked and protect the innocent from their harm. We can trust in God’s justice to ultimately prevail, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable evil.

Psalm 58:7 (KJV) 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. (NKJV) Let them flow away as waters which run continually; When he bends his bow, Let his arrows be as if cut in pieces.

This verse continues the plea for divine intervention, expressing the desire for the wicked to be rendered ineffective. “Let them melt away as waters which run continually” suggests a gradual but inevitable diminishing of their power and influence. “When he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces” asks that their weapons and strategies be rendered useless. The image of water running away suggests the impermanence of earthly power. God’s power dwarfs their power.

Spiritual Application: We can trust that God is able to dismantle the plans of the wicked and render their efforts futile. We must remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God’s power is greater than any earthly force.

Psalm 58:8 (KJV) 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. (NKJV) Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, Like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun.

The Psalmist continues to use vivid imagery to depict the fate of the wicked. “As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away” conveys a sense of gradual disintegration and disappearance. “Like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun” suggests a tragic and unfulfilled existence. The snail dissolving illustrates their power fading away. The stillborn child, one that never sees the sun, illustrates the ultimate futility of their wicked ambitions.

Spiritual Application: This verse serves as a warning against pursuing worldly power and glory at the expense of righteousness. Ultimately, such pursuits are fleeting and ultimately lead to emptiness.

Psalm 58:9 (KJV) Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. (NKJV) Before your pots can feel the burning thorns, He shall take them away in the whirlwind, as in His living wrath.

This verse speaks of swift and sudden judgment. “Before your pots can feel the thorns” implies that the punishment will come quickly, even before the wicked have time to fully enjoy the fruits of their evil deeds. “He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath” suggests a powerful and devastating intervention by God. The imagery of the pots and thorns likely refers to a cooking fire, and before the pots can even be heated properly, the fire is extinguished. This illustrates the speed and decisiveness of God’s judgement.

Spiritual Application: We must always be mindful of the imminence of God’s judgment and strive to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. God’s justice is swift and decisive.

Psalm 58:10 (KJV) The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. (NKJV) The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,

This verse describes the righteous rejoicing at the downfall of the wicked. “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance” indicates that they will find satisfaction in witnessing God’s justice being served. “He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked” is a symbolic expression of complete victory and cleansing. This is not to be taken literally, but rather as a powerful metaphor for the triumph of good over evil. The righteous find joy not in the suffering of the wicked, but in the restoration of justice and order.

Spiritual Application: We can find comfort in knowing that God will ultimately vindicate the righteous and bring justice to the earth. We should not seek revenge ourselves, but trust in God’s perfect justice.

Psalm 58:11 (KJV) So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. (NKJV) So that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.”

This verse summarizes the ultimate outcome of God’s judgment. “So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous” highlights the fact that God’s justice is not only punitive but also restorative, bringing blessings to those who have remained faithful. “Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth” affirms God’s sovereignty and His active role in upholding justice throughout the world. It reinforces the belief that God is not indifferent to human affairs but is actively involved in bringing about His righteous will. This verse is the key to understanding the entire psalm: God is just, and He rewards righteousness.

Spiritual Application: We must remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God sees our struggles and will ultimately reward our faithfulness. We can trust in His justice and find comfort in His unwavering love.

Subtopic: The Relevance of Imprecatory Psalms Today

The imprecatory psalms, such as Psalm 58, often raise questions about their appropriateness for Christian prayer. However, these psalms are not expressions of personal vengeance but rather calls for God’s justice to prevail. They reflect a deep sense of moral outrage at injustice and a yearning for God to set things right. Here are some key reflections:

• They Reflect a Passion for Justice: Imprecatory psalms express a profound desire for God’s justice to be enacted in a world filled with wickedness and oppression.
• They Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty: They recognize that vengeance belongs to God alone and that He is the ultimate judge of all.
• They Can Be Prayers for Transformation: We can interpret these psalms as prayers for the wicked to be transformed and brought to repentance.
• They Remind Us of the Seriousness of Sin: These psalms highlight the devastating consequences of sin and the importance of upholding righteousness.
• They Encourage Us to Trust in God’s Justice: We can find comfort in knowing that God will ultimately bring justice to the earth, even when we do not see it in our own time.
• They Remind us to find reputable WordPress Hosting to get our content out in the world for change.

FAQ ❓

Q: Why does the Psalmist use such harsh language in Psalm 58?

A: The harsh language reflects the Psalmist’s deep sense of moral outrage and the severity of the injustice he is witnessing. It is not an expression of personal vengeance but rather a call for God’s justice to prevail.

Q: How should Christians interpret imprecatory psalms today?

A: We should interpret them as expressions of a desire for God’s justice and as reminders of the seriousness of sin. We can pray for the transformation of the wicked and trust in God’s ultimate triumph over evil.

Q: Does Psalm 58 contradict the New Testament teachings on love and forgiveness?

A: No, it does not. While the New Testament emphasizes love and forgiveness, it also affirms the reality of God’s justice and the importance of upholding righteousness. Psalm 58 is a cry for justice, not a call for personal vengeance.

Q: How can I apply the teachings of Psalm 58 to my daily life?

A: We can apply these teachings by striving to live a life of righteousness, speaking out against injustice, and trusting in God’s justice to ultimately prevail. We can also pray for the transformation of those who are engaged in wickedness.

Conclusion

Psalm 58 is a powerful reminder of God’s commitment to justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. While the language may be challenging, the core message is one of hope and assurance. We can trust that God sees the injustices of this world and will ultimately bring about His righteous judgment. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we are called to live lives of integrity, speaking out against wickedness and trusting in God’s unwavering love and justice. Understanding God’s righteous judgment is vital for navigating the moral complexities of our world and maintaining hope in the face of injustice. By seeking to align our lives with God’s will and trusting in His ultimate victory, we can contribute to the establishment of His kingdom on earth.

Tags

Psalm 58, righteous judgment, justice, wickedness, Coptic Orthodox, Patristic insights, imprecatory psalms, divine vengeance, prayer, spiritual application

Meta Description

Explore Psalm 58’s powerful call for God’s righteous judgment on the wicked. A Coptic Orthodox commentary on justice, vengeance, and the triumph of righteousness.