PSALM 58. For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.

Theme: A prayer for God's justice. When no justice can be found, rejoice in knowing that justice will triumph because there is a God who will judge in complete fairness.

Author David, at a time when men in authority were twisting justice.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/58.html

1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? 2 No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. 3 Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies. 4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, 5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. 6 Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; LORD, tear out the fangs of those lions! 7 Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short. 8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away. 10 The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”

Study Notes:

58:1ff This is called an imprecatory psalm (see the note on 35:1ff). It is a cry for justice so intense that it seems, at first glance, to be a call for revenge.

58:1ff The Old Testament is filled with references to justice, and it is a key topic in the psalms. Unfortunately, many judges and rulers in ancient times took justice into their own hands. They had complete authority with no accountability and the power to make their own laws. When earth's judges are corrupt, there is little hope of justice in this life. But God loves justice, and those who obey him will experience perfect justice in eternity.

58:11 [I highlighted this first sentence.]. Of all people, our national leaders should be just and fair. When they are unjust and unfair, people suffer. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, politicians wrest power from the people, national morality deteriorates, and God is ignored. When right triumphs at last, "the righteous will be glad" (58:10). Be assured that there will be a day of accountability and that God judges fairly. Be careful never to side with injustice, lest you find yourself standing before an angry Judge.

This morning I awakened considering when this "game" will stop. I thought about how we flip flop around between "this is a game" and "this is not a game". I came to my dining room table and asked God, "What is the game?" We considered the answer of "Life". If that is what the game is, do we really want for it to stop? We considered the answer of "Illusion". If that is what the game is, do we truly want for it to stop? I wound up landing where I always land: I still think. I still seek God. I still seek Truth. I still choose Life, everlasting life. I choose to follow God. Man is a poor substitute. No matter how many men. Then I read this psalm. I am amazed again at how God works.

Lord, thank you that you are just and true. Thank you for sending your Son as a man to teach us. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness, and for your righteous judgment over evil. We ask you about how long we must suffer evil. We ask about why things are the way they appear to be. And, then as we are about to give up hope, you remind us of your love and divine justice. It is so good to worship you. Thank you, Lord, that you are my final judge. Thank you for your Son, my advocate. It is in his holy name, Jesus Christ, I pray.

A Song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0RZTYDPavEY

Have a blessed and glorious day.