Psalms 58

Ps 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

4. 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.

6. He prays for their destruction, under the figure of ravenous

beasts

(Ps 3:7; 7:2).

7. 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.

8, 9. Other figures of this utter ruin; the last denoting rapidity.

In a shorter time than pots feel the heat of thorns on fire--

9. 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.

10, 11. 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.).