Psalm 58 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Psalm 58 meaning explained in AI Summary

Psalm 58 is a furious outcry against corrupt and unjust rulers, comparing them to venomous snakes and praying for their swift judgment.

Complaint (verses 1-5):

The psalmist directly addresses rulers, questioning their integrity and accusing them of injustice and violence.
He uses vivid imagery, comparing them to poisonous snakes who refuse to listen and are deaf to the pleas of the innocent.

Prayer for Judgment (verses 6-11):

The psalmist calls on God to break the power of the wicked, comparing them to things that quickly vanish (slugs, stillborn children).
He prays for their destruction to be so complete that even their memory is erased.
The psalm ends with a declaration that God will ultimately triumph, bringing justice and causing the righteous to rejoice.

Key Themes:

God's Justice: The psalm emphasizes God's hatred for injustice and his commitment to ultimately judge the wicked.
Human Corruption: It paints a stark picture of human depravity, particularly among those in positions of power.
Hope for the Righteous: Despite the bleakness of the situation, the psalm offers hope that God will vindicate the righteous and bring about his justice.

Interpretation:

Psalm 58 can be interpreted on different levels:

Literally: As a prayer against specific corrupt rulers during the psalmist's time.
Symbolically: As a timeless reflection on the struggle between good and evil, justice and injustice, that resonates throughout history.

Overall, Psalm 58 is a powerful and unsettling psalm that confronts the reality of evil and injustice while affirming God's ultimate sovereignty and justice.

Psalm 58 bible study ai commentary

Psalm 58 opens with a courtroom-style arraignment against corrupt and unjust rulers, powerfully questioning their legitimacy and morality. The psalmist describes their intrinsically evil nature with potent metaphors before launching into a series of visceral imprecations, calling on God to enact swift and total judgment. The psalm culminates in the affirmation that the vindication of the righteous will unequivocally prove that there is a reward for godliness and, most importantly, a God who actively judges the earth.

Psalm 58 context

This is an imprecatory psalm, a type of psalm that invokes judgment, calamity, or curses upon one's enemies or those perceived as enemies of God. Attributed to David ("To the Chief Musician; set to 'Do Not Destroy.' A Michtam of David."), it was likely written during a period when David was suffering under the oppressive and unjust rule of King Saul or another powerful entity. The language and concepts reflect a common Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) worldview where rulers were seen as representatives of the divine, responsible for upholding justice (mishpat) and righteousness (tsedeq). A failure to do so was a perversion of the cosmic order. The psalm functions as a raw, honest prayer, entrusting the act of vengeance to God alone, which was a key theological distinction from surrounding cultures where personal revenge was common.

Psalm 58:1

Do you indeed speak righteousness, O you gods? Do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men?

In-depth-analysis

A direct, rhetorical confrontation with corrupt leaders. It challenges the very foundation of their authority—their supposed commitment to justice.
word: The Hebrew term 'elem (אלם) is controversial.
- It can be translated "gods," "mighty ones," or "rulers."
- If "gods," it could refer to supernatural beings in a "divine council" who were delegated authority over nations and proved corrupt (see Psa 82).
- If "mighty ones" or "rulers," it refers to powerful human judges or officials. The second line, "O you sons of men," supports this interpretation or clarifies that the 'gods' being addressed are in fact mortal men who have arrogated divine status.
The question exposes the vast gulf between their public duty ("speak righteousness," "judge uprightly") and their actual practice.

Bible references

Psalm 82:1-2: "God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. How long will you judge unjustly...?" (Parallel theme of judging corrupt rulers/beings).
John 10:34: "Jesus answered them, 'Is it not written in your law, “I said, ‘You are gods’?”'" (Jesus quoting Psa 82, referencing humans who received the word of God as 'gods').
Isaiah 3:13-14: "The Lord stands up to plead, and stands to judge the peoples. The Lord will enter into judgment with the elders of His people..." (God as the ultimate judge over earthly judges).

Cross references

Deu 1:16-17 (command for just judges); Psa 94:20 (wicked decrees); Ecc 5:8 (oppression by rulers); Mic 3:1-3 (rulers who hate good).

Polemics

The address to rulers as 'elem (gods) is a potent polemic. In the ANE, kings and rulers were often deified or seen as the chosen sons of the gods, responsible for enacting divine justice on earth. This verse subverts that ideology by accusing these "gods" of being fundamentally unjust, thereby undermining their claim to divinely-sanctioned power. This asserts Yahweh as the only true source of justice, who holds even the most powerful accountable.

Psalm 58:2

No, in heart you work unrighteousness; on earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.

In-depth-analysis

This verse answers the rhetorical question of verse 1 with a blunt "No."
"in heart": The injustice is not accidental but intentional, originating from a corrupt inner nature.
"on earth": The wicked thoughts are translated into real-world, tangible oppression.
"weigh out the violence": This is a cynical perversion of the symbol of justice—the scales. Instead of weighing evidence to dispense justice, they meticulously measure out and distribute violence and oppression.

Bible references

Micah 2:1: "Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand." (Premeditated evil).
Proverbs 21:10: "The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes." (Inherent desire for evil).
Genesis 6:5: "...the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (The heart as the source of wickedness).

Cross references

Psa 36:1-4 (transgression an oracle within their heart); Isa 59:3-4 (hands defiled with blood); Jer 17:9 (heart is deceitful).

Psalm 58:3-5

The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; they are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear, which will not heed the voice of charmers, charming ever so skillfully.

In-depth-analysis

This section describes the wicked as constitutionally corrupt, not just flawed in their actions.
"estranged from the womb": This is a hyperbolic statement emphasizing a congenital inclination toward sin and rebellion. Their alienation from God is foundational to their being.
"like the poison of a serpent": Their words and influence are not merely wrong; they are lethally toxic, destructive, and deadly.
"deaf cobra that stops its ear": This powerful simile portrays them as willfully and stubbornly incorrigible. They are not ignorant of the call to righteousness ("the voice of charmers") but actively refuse to listen. No amount of wisdom or persuasion can reach them. This is a rejection of God's law and prophetic warning.

Bible references

Psalm 51:5: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." (Doctrine of original sin).
Romans 3:13: "Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips." (Paul quoting this sentiment in his summary of human sinfulness).
Jeremiah 8:17: "For behold, I will send serpents among you, vipers which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you," says the Lord." (Incorrigible wickedness will face inescapable judgment).

Cross references

Gen 3:1 (serpent imagery); Isa 48:8 (transgressor from the womb); Mat 23:33 (generation of vipers); Acts 7:51 (stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears).

Psalm 58:6-9

Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them flow away as waters which run continually; when he bends his bow, let his arrows be as if cut in pieces. Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, let them be like a stillborn child, that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living and in His wrath.

In-depth-analysis

This is a series of seven intense imprecations, prayers for God to nullify the wicked's power and existence completely.
v. 6, teeth/fangs of lions: Prayer to render the powerful predators harmless. Teeth are symbols of their power to destroy and devour.
v. 7a, flow away as waters: Prayer for them to vanish completely and tracelessly.
v. 7b, arrows cut in pieces: Prayer for their weapons and evil plans to be rendered ineffective and useless.
v. 8a, snail which melts: A vivid image of a creature that seems to dissolve as it moves, leaving only a trail of slime. Prayer for their life and power to self-destruct.
v. 8b, stillborn child: Prayer for their influence to be completely erased from existence, to never have an impact or legacy ("see the sun").
v. 9, pot/thorns/whirlwind: An image of hyper-swift judgment. A fire of thorns burns intensely but quickly. The judgment will be so sudden it sweeps them away before their plans can even "get hot" or come to fruition.

Bible references

Psalm 3:7: "Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly." (Parallel prayer to break teeth).
Psalm 68:1-2: "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered... As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God." (Similar imagery for the destruction of the wicked).
Revelation 16:1-21: The bowl judgments portray God's swift, final, and catastrophic judgment upon the unrepentant. (Consummation of such prayers).

Cross references

Psa 35:1-8 (imprecatory prayer against enemies); Psa 109:6-20 (extended imprecations); Job 3:16 (wish for stillbirth); Nah 1:10 (consumed like thorns).

Psalm 58:10

The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

In-depth-analysis

This is one of the most jarring verses in the Psalms for a modern audience.
"rejoice when he sees the vengeance": This is not sadistic glee in suffering, but profound relief and joy in the final victory of good over evil. It is joy that justice has been publicly vindicated, that God's holy character has been upheld, and that the oppressed are finally free.
"wash his feet in the blood": A shocking and visceral ANE military metaphor for overwhelming and total victory. It signifies walking across a battlefield after the enemy has been utterly annihilated. For the psalmist, this symbolizes the complete and final defeat of evil by God.

Bible references

Revelation 19:1-3: "After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments... and they said, 'Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!'" (Heaven rejoicing over the judgment of Babylon).
Deuteronomy 32:43: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries." (The vindication of God's people is a cause for praise).
Isaiah 63:3: "'I have trodden the winepress alone... I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments...'" (The divine warrior wading through the blood of his enemies).

Cross references

Psa 68:23 (dip your foot in blood); Jdg 5:31 (let your enemies perish); Pro 11:10 (when the wicked perish, there is shouting); Rev 18:20 (rejoice over her, O heaven).

Psalm 58:11

So that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges in the earth.”

In-depth-analysis

This is the moral and theological climax of the psalm. The purpose of the horrifying judgment is pedagogical.
"Surely there is a reward": The ultimate outcome proves that living righteously is not in vain, even when it appears foolish or weak in the face of rampant evil. In the Hebrew, "reward" is literally "fruit," implying a natural, certain outcome of a righteous life.
"a God who judges in the earth": This counters any deistic or atheistic notion that God is absent, indifferent, or non-existent. The tangible display of justice proves His active and sovereign rule over human affairs here and now, not just in a distant heaven or future. This truth is the ultimate answer to the corrupt judges in verse 1.

Bible references

Psalm 73:16-17: "When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end." (Realization that God judges the wicked).
Malachi 3:18: "Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." (God's actions will make the distinction clear).
2 Thessalonians 1:5-7: "...that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God... since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed..." (God's future judgment will bring relief and justice).

Cross references

Psa 9:16 (the LORD is known by His judgment); Isa 26:9 (when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness); Rom 2:5-8 (God will render to each according to his deeds).

Psalm chapter 58 analysis

Imprecatory Prayer as Worship: This psalm exemplifies how to handle righteous anger against injustice. Rather than seeking personal revenge, David models bringing raw, visceral emotion to God, acknowledging Him as the only one with the right to judge and enact vengeance (Deu 32:35; Rom 12:19). It is an act of faith, entrusting the problem of evil to the one who can and will solve it.
The Divine Council Polemic: The opening address to 'elem ("gods" or "mighty ones") places the psalm within the cosmic conflict described in passages like Psalm 82. Whether addressing corrupt human rulers who act like gods or actual supernatural beings who rebelled, the message is the same: no authority is absolute. All "lesser" authorities are accountable to Yahweh, the supreme King and Judge of the universe.
New Testament Fulfillment: The NT affirms the reality of God's wrath against sin but redirects its fulfillment. The ultimate judgment against evil occurs at the cross of Christ, where the "curse" is borne by Jesus (Gal 3:13). Christians are now called to love their enemies (Mat 5:44) because the final vengeance is reserved for Christ's second coming (2 Thes 1:7-9; Rev 19). Therefore, imprecatory psalms are read by the church not as a license for personal vindictiveness, but as an affirmation of God's ultimate justice, a lament over evil, and a longing for the day Christ makes all things right.

Psalm 58 summary

Psalm 58 is a fervent cry for divine justice against corrupt rulers. It begins by accusing them of perverting their office, details their intrinsically malevolent and incorrigible nature, and then prays for their swift and complete destruction. The psalm concludes with the assurance that God’s final judgment will vindicate the righteous and prove to all the world that there is indeed a God who judges the earth.

Psalm 57 AI Psalm 59 AI

Psalm 58 AI Image Audio and Video

Psalm chapter 58 kjv

¹ 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.

Psalm chapter 58 nkjv

¹ To the Chief Musician. Set to "Do Not Destroy." A Michtam of David. Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones? Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men?
² No, in heart you work wickedness; You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.
³ The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
⁴ Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear,
⁵ Which will not heed the voice of charmers, Charming ever so skillfully.
⁶ Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
⁷ Let them flow away as waters which run continually; When he bends his bow, Let his arrows be as if cut in pieces.
⁸ 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.
⁹ Before your pots can feel the burning thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, As in His living and burning wrath.
¹⁰ The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,
¹¹ So that men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth."

Psalm chapter 58 niv

¹ For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. 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."

Psalm chapter 58 esv

¹ Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
² No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.
³ The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
⁴ They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
⁵ so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter.
⁶ O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
⁷ Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
⁸ Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
⁹ Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
¹⁰ The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
¹¹ Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth."

Psalm chapter 58 nlt

¹ Justice ? do you rulers know the meaning of the word?
Do you judge the people fairly?
² No! You plot injustice in your hearts.
You spread violence throughout the land.
³ These wicked people are born sinners;
even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.
⁴ They spit venom like deadly snakes;
they are like cobras that refuse to listen,
⁵ ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers,
no matter how skillfully they play.
⁶ Break off their fangs, O God!
Smash the jaws of these lions, O LORD!
⁷ May they disappear like water into thirsty ground.
Make their weapons useless in their hands.
⁸ May they be like snails that dissolve into slime,
like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.
⁹ God will sweep them away, both young and old,
faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.
¹⁰ The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.
They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
¹¹ Then at last everyone will say,
"There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."