Psalm 58
About Psalms
The Psalms are 150 songs and prayers, written over many centuries by David and others, and gathered into five books for Israel’s worship. Every human feeling is here: joy, fear, anger, grief, confusion and thanks. Many begin in trouble and end in trust. Jesus prayed them too, even on the cross, where He spoke the opening line of Psalm 22. Read them slowly. They are meant to be prayed, not only read.
Before you read Psalm 58Written by AI
A hard psalm against corrupt rulers who twist justice. Its curses are vivid and violent, and readers rightly feel their weight. They hand vengeance over to God rather than taking it, and Christians read them alongside Jesus’ call to pray for enemies. It ends: “There is surely a God who judges the earth!”
God Judges the Earth
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David.
Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers?
Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
No, in your hearts you devise injustice;
with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
The wicked are estranged from the womb;
the liars go astray from birth.
Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like a cobra that shuts its ears,
refusing to hear the tune of the charmer
who skillfully weaves his spell.
O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths;
O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.
May they vanish
like water that runs off;
when they draw the bow,
may their arrows be blunted.
Like a slug that dissolves in its slime,
like a woman’s stillborn child,
may they never see the sun.
Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—
whether green or dry—
He will sweep them away.
The righteous will rejoice
when they see they are avenged;
they will wash their feet
in the blood of the wicked.
Then men will say,
“There is surely a reward for the righteous!
There is surely a God who judges the earth!”