Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Psalms 58

PSALM 58

Psa 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.

6. He prays for their destruction, under the figure of ravenous beasts (Psa 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 (Psa 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--

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 Psa 52:5-7; 54:7). In this assurance let heaven and earth rejoice (Psa 96:10; 97:1, &c.).