John Trapp on Psalms 58:1

PSAL. LVIII.

VErſ. 1.Una ligati, ut Gen. 37.7. vel. ab [illegible: 2 letters]N Mutus quia congregatio ante oratorem eftquaſi mutus. Aben-Ezra. Do yee indeed speak righteouſneſs O Congregation?] Or, O Councell; you that are gathered together on a knot, under a pretence of doing juſtice, and promoting the publick good by giving faithfull advice to the King. Colloquitur Abner[illegible: 1 letter] & reliquis, ſaith Kimchi, David here talketh to Abner and the reſt, who to pleaſe Saul pronounced David a rebel, and condemned him abſent for an enemy to the State. And for as much as there is no greater injury than that which paſſeth under the name of right, he ſharply debateth the matter with them whom he knew of old to be very corrupt; painting them out in their colours, and denouncing Gods heavy judgments againſt them for their unjuſt dealings with him. The word rendred Congregation is not found elſewhere in that ſenſe. It ſignifieth dumbneſſe; and is by the Spaniſh tranſlators rendred, O audiencia, by Antiphraſis, ut lucus, quia non lucet.

Do ye judge uprightly, O yee ſons of men?] i.e. O ye carnall profane perſons that ſavour not the things of the Spirit, q. d. ye are fit perſons to make Counſellors of State. Sedes prima & vita ima agree not. Dignitas in indigno eſt ornamentum in luto, ſaith Salvian. You do much miſ-become your places.