Psalm 58: A Rebuke of Unjust Judges
A sharp confrontation of corrupt rulers and a plea for God's justice.
Psalm 58 questions a 'congregation' of judges who work wickedness instead of righteousness, describing the wicked as 'estranged from the womb' and comparing them to 'the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear.' The tone contrasts with the settled praise closing Psalms 57.
> Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?
No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.
The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Their poison is like the poison of a snake; Like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,
Which doesn't listen to the voice of charmers, No matter how skillful the charmer may be.
Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.
Let them vanish as water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.
Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, Like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.
Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, He will sweep away the green and the burning alike.
The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;
So that men shall say, \"Most assuredly there is a reward for the righteous. Most assuredly there is a God who judges the earth.\"