Psalm 58 11

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.

Psalm 58:11 nkjv

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

Psalm 58:11 niv

Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth."

Psalm 58:11 esv

Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth."

Psalm 58:11 nlt

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."

Psalm 58 verses

Psalm 58 11 Meaning

Psalm 58:11 is the confident affirmation that follows the psalmist's plea for divine judgment upon the wicked. It declares that when God intervenes and executes justice on the earth, all humanity will undeniably acknowledge two foundational truths: first, that those who live righteously will indeed receive their due reward or beneficial outcome; and second, that there is truly a God who actively governs and judges human affairs in this world. It encapsulates the triumph of divine justice and the ultimate vindication of God's character and sovereignty.

Psalm 58 11 Context

Psalm 58 is a lament and an imprecation, where the psalmist (traditionally David) pours out a prayer against unjust and corrupt rulers or judges. The preceding verses vividly describe the innate wickedness, venom, and destructive actions of these oppressive figures, likening them to venomous serpents and beasts. The psalmist passionately appeals for God to break their power and bring about their swift destruction. Verse 11 serves as the climactic and confident declaration, articulating the certain outcome and purpose of God's expected righteous judgment. After the description of the wicked's judgment in verse 10, verse 11 provides the reason and the resulting public affirmation: God's intervention will make His justice and existence unmistakably clear to all. This Psalm asserts that despite current appearances, God is not absent or indifferent but is actively involved in administering justice on earth, confronting contemporary beliefs that either denied God's active involvement or doubted the eventual triumph of good over evil.

Psalm 58 11 Word analysis

• So that people will say: This phrase, often implicit or interpreted from the preceding context, signifies the desired outcome and the universal recognition that will follow God's intervention. Divine justice is not merely punitive but revelatory.
• 'Surely (אכן - aken): This is a strong Hebrew particle of affirmation, meaning "indeed," "truly," "verily." It conveys absolute certainty and emphatic conviction. It validates the following statement as an undeniable truth, particularly after God has acted.
• there is a reward (ישׁ פרי - yesh pri):
  • ישׁ (yesh): Signifies existence, "there is." It directly counters any doubt or skepticism regarding recompense.
  • פרי (pri): Lit. "fruit" or "offspring." In this context, it refers to the advantageous outcome, benefit, or recompense derived from one's actions, akin to a harvest from what has been sown. It indicates a positive return or beneficial result, not just financial compensation but comprehensive well-being.
• for the righteous (לצדיק - latsaddiq):
  • ל (l-) : The preposition "to" or "for."
  • צדיק (tsaddiq): Refers to the "righteous one" or "just person." This term denotes someone who is morally upright, aligns their life with God's commands, acts justly in their dealings, and is innocent of the charges or persecutions they face. It stands in direct contrast to the wicked individuals described earlier in the psalm.
• surely (אכן - aken): The repeated emphatic particle, reaffirming the certainty, indicating a second, equally important truth. It doubles down on the conviction, strengthening the declaration.
• there is a God (ישׁ אלהים - yesh Elohim):
  • ישׁ (yesh): Again, affirms the existence, emphasizing "there is" or "truly is."
  • אלהים (Elohim): The common Hebrew word for "God," highlighting His divine nature, supreme power, and authority as the sovereign ruler and creator. This points to the One, true God who is not distant or uncaring.
• who judges (שׁפט - shophet): From the verb "to judge," shaphat. This is not merely rendering a verdict, but actively administering justice, ruling, governing, delivering, and vindicating. It signifies God's dynamic and executive role in human affairs.
• on earth (בארץ - ba'aretz):
  • ב (b-) : The preposition "in" or "on."
  • ארץ (aretz): "Earth," "land," or "ground." This is a crucial qualifier, emphasizing that God's judgment and governance are not confined to the heavenly realm or a future eschatological event, but are demonstrably applied within the tangible, physical world where human actions unfold. It dismisses the notion of an absentee God.

Words-group analysis:

• "So that people will say, 'Surely there is a reward for the righteous": This speaks to the universal acknowledgement of divine providence. When God acts decisively, humanity will be compelled to recognize that living righteously is not in vain, but results in a tangible, positive outcome. This recognition counters the despair felt when injustice seems to prevail.
• "surely there is a God who judges on earth": This phrase asserts God's immanence and sovereignty over human history. It confronts the skepticism that God is either indifferent or too transcendent to intervene in earthly wrongs. God is active, attentive, and fully engaged in exercising His righteous rule directly in the affairs of mankind. His judgments are not abstract but manifested in visible ways.

Psalm 58 11 Bonus section

The progression within Psalm 58, from detailed description of wickedness (vv. 1-5) to passionate imprecations for destruction (vv. 6-9) to the resulting divine justice (v. 10) culminates in this verse of universal recognition. It highlights a common biblical pattern where lament or prayer for justice ends in confident affirmation of God's character and eventual triumph. This didactic purpose of God's judgment – to make known His justice and existence – is vital throughout Scripture. This Psalm, with its concluding verse, affirms the "moral arc of the universe" truly bending toward justice, under the active governance of God.

Psalm 58 11 Commentary

Psalm 58:11 serves as the resolute conclusion to a passionate cry for justice. After the psalmist appeals to God to violently thwart the wicked, this verse shifts from prayer to profound conviction. It encapsulates the core truth of biblical justice: God is actively present in human affairs, ensuring that all actions bear their just consequences. The phrase "Surely there is a reward for the righteous" isn't merely a hopeful wish but a statement of divine certainty—the fruit of righteousness will manifest. This fruit is the inherent outcome of living aligned with God's ways, contrasted with the destructive 'fruit' of wickedness mentioned implicitly in the Psalm. The repeated "surely" (אכן) emphasizes this absolute conviction. More fundamentally, "surely there is a God who judges on earth" is a definitive theological statement. It counters the ancient (and modern) belief that God is distant or uninterested in the world's injustices. This verse asserts God's sovereignty is not theoretical but demonstrably operative on Earth. It offers comfort and reassurance to those suffering injustice, providing a bulwark against despair, and serving as a stark warning to those who oppress, confirming that ultimate accountability belongs to the divine Judge.