I’m starting this morning by comparing many many translations because the language and figures of speech are so interesting. I recommend you do that too. There are many ways to compare translations. You can have the books (Bibles) and open them and look at them, you can use the YouVersion Bible App on your phone and use the compare function in the app where you can add many versions from many languages and see verses in a scrollable list. Or you can use the website I’m using today to click through the versions, https://biblehub.com/esv/psalms/58.htm.
I’ve dipped into the commentaries out of curiosity. As I suspected, the Hebrew here is very hard to translate and understand. Barnes Notes are particularly helpful (I'm not consulting that one alone, but don’t feel it is needed to mention every version or commentary that I am consulting) in pointing out the difficulties. I am not looking for answers, I’m looking for the agreed ideas that across the board are translated with confidence.
I’m thinking out loud as I type. But I think a few things are significant. Verse 1 and 2 of Psalm 58 begin with an accusation of injustice on the earth (world, land) and end with justice on the earth in verse 11. What is in between these two contrasts is a poetic comparison of the wicked to things that don’t last.
MAIN POINT: Injustice perpetrated on earth by the wicked is not the final word; God is the final word, and so there is ultimate value in living for God.
Then at last everyone will say,
“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Psalm 58:11 NLT
We are quick to forget, and we are faced with disturbing and unsettling injustice so frequently that God really wants to drive home this message of comfort. Hold on. Don’t give up. I will bring justice. There is value in living for ME (God) and being just. All through the Bible this is a theme. All the way from Genesis to Revelation we see that the hope that there is a just God is what should carry us through times of persecution, injustice and oppression.
Three things I see in my observations of Psalm 58
Injustice spreads like a plague, a virus or a disease. v.2
“No! You plot injustice in your hearts. You spread violence throughout the land.” v.2
This reminds me of Psalm 1 and with it I want to give a warning. Watch out who you are listening to. Be careful who you are hanging out with. Don’t fill your mind and heart with the thoughts and discussion of the unjust and the wicked who plot violence and only think about earthly things. I’m warning you, heart. Listen to and remember God is the ultimate judge.
Injustice is hereditary to the human race because of the sin problem.
“These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.” v.3
If you look to man for your justice, you will always be disappointed, if you look to man for your righteousness you’ll be waiting unsatisfied. Justice only can be found in God.
The Bible is clear on this point, and my personal experience and observation backs it up. People are sinners. People are not born obeying and following God. To be innocent and good means only one thing: to follow and obey God. No one inherently loves God and follows His commands; everyone starts off selfish, lying and stealing and cheating. We are born aggressive and sneaky. And we don’t get better.
God’s justice doesn’t fit our image.
“Break off v.6”, “Smash the jaw v.6”, “disappear v.7”, “useless v.7”, “dissolve into slime v.8”, “like a stillborn child who will never see the sun v.8”, “sweep them away, both young and old v.9”, and “They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked v.10” are not images we associate usually with God’s justice. But David does and I believe God does too.
Jesus gave us similar images of God’s justice.
“And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:42
“into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:43-49,
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41
Jesus is the judge David is calling upon.
1I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Timothy 4:1
Conclusion:
God will win. God will bring justice. There is a reason to live according to God’s plan.
This is not just something that will happen in heaven, but David tells us God’s justice extends to earth.
Then at last everyone will say,
“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;
surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”
Psalm 58:11 NLT
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| Handwritten Psalm 58 |
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