Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 58

Unjust Rulers and the Nature of the WickedThis psalm was written during the time David was persecuted by Saul. It shares the same title, Al-taschith—Destroy not, and is called a Michtam of David, which means “David’s jewels.” These psalms were precious to David because they were written during hard times when God protected him. Here, David speaks not as a king, but as a prophet. He boldly judges the rulers and judges of his day, showing more justice and authority than they did. David points out two main problems: the corruption in their government and the evil in their hearts.v. 1: David questions the judges and leaders. He asks, Do you indeed speak righteousness? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? . David is saying that they do not give fair judgments or protect innocent people. They are supposed to be just and punish evil, but they do not do their jobs. Even though they are powerful, they are still only humans and must answer to God one day. David reminds them to think carefully about what they say and do, and to judge themselves honestly.

v. 2: David accuses them of doing evil on purpose. He says, In your heart you work wickedness; you weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth . The judges plan evil things with careful thought and use their power to hurt others, not to help. They pretend to be fair, but really, they use their position to do wrong and get what they want. This is especially bad because their job is to keep the land peaceful and just. David says their wickedness is even worse because it is done with planning and under the cover of justice.

v. 3: David talks about the root problem: their evil nature. He says, The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies . These people have been corrupt from the beginning. They are far from God and do not want to do good (Ephesians 4:18 ). Even as children, they learn to lie and do wrong. This evil nature is passed down and grows stronger with bad habits and teaching (Isaiah 48:8 ).

v. 4: David compares their malice to poison. He says, Their poison is like the poison of a serpent . Their hatred and bad intentions are natural to them, like a snake’s poison. They are dangerous and cannot be cured by normal means. They are like snakes by nature, full of venom and always ready to harm.

v. 5: David says that these wicked leaders are stubborn and will not listen to advice or reason. He describes them as like the deaf adder that stops her ear, which will not listen to the voice of charmers, charming ever so wisely . Just as people believed some snakes could not be tamed or controlled by music, these evil people refuse to listen to God’s warnings or wise words. God tries to change them through His word, but they block their ears and ignore Him. As Jesus said, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced (Matthew 11:17 ). People who do not want to hear the truth simply refuse to listen, no matter what.

Prophetic ImprecationsIn this part of the psalm, David prays against his enemies, who are also the enemies of God’s people. David is not seeking personal revenge. He is asking that those who do evil and hurt God’s people would be stopped and judged. These prayers are passionate, but they come from a desire to protect the innocent and see justice done. David also predicts what will happen to the wicked, showing that God will judge them quickly and fairly. These verses remind us that God is just, and He will reward the righteous and punish evil in His own time.v. 6: David asks God to make his enemies powerless. He says, Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth . He compares them to lions whose teeth can hurt others. David does not pray for them to be destroyed completely, but for their ability to do harm to be taken away (Psalm 3:7 ). He wants them to stop attacking God’s people, not simply to suffer themselves.

v. 7: David prays that the evil plans of his enemies will fail. He says, Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bends his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces . David asks that their attacks will not reach their target, and that their power, like water spilled on the ground, will disappear and come to nothing (Psalm 18:4; Psalm 124:4-5 ).

v. 8: David uses more pictures to describe the end of the wicked. He prays, Let them be as a snail which melts away as it goes; like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun . Just as a snail wastes away by moving, and a baby that is never born never sees the light, so David asks that the wicked would fade away and be gone before they can do more harm (Job 3:16; Hosea 9:14 ).

v. 9: David predicts how quickly God will judge the wicked. He says, Before your pots can feel the heat of thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath . Just as a fire of thorns burns quickly and is gone, so God’s judgment will come suddenly, sweeping away the wicked before they even realize what is happening (Isaiah 50:11; Ecclesiastes 7:6 ).

v. 10: David says that God’s people will be encouraged when they see God’s justice. The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked . This means that believers will be glad to see evil punished, because it proves that God is fair and protects His people (Psalm 73:2, 13, 17; Psalm 68:23 ). This joy is holy—it reminds them to respect God and turn away from sin themselves (Psalm 119:120 ).

v. 11: David concludes that everyone will see God’s justice. He says, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God who judges in the earth (Psalm 58:11 ). God rewards those who do right and punishes the wicked. When people see God’s judgments, they will know that the world is ruled by a wise and just God, not by chance. God’s rule is real and powerful, and He will make sure that justice is done on earth as well as in heaven.