The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

A PSALM of condemnation on unrighteous judges. Some suppose the judges to be superhuman beings, entrusted with the government of the earth (Cheyne). Others suggest heathen rulers of Israel, in Babylonia, during the time of the Captivity. But the language is not stronger than that addressed often to native judges (see Isaiah 1:16-25; Isaiah 10:1-4; Jeremiah 5:26-29; Micah 3:9-12, etc.). And there is no reason for rejecting the statement of the "title," that the psalm was written by David. It may either belong to the early years of David's reign, or to the time immediately preceding Absalom's rebellion.

The psalm consists of two strophes and a conclusion. The first strophe is one of five verses, and lays down the grounds of complaint (Psalms 58:1-5). The second, which is one of four verses (Psalms 58:6-9), passes sentence, describing the coming punishment. The conclusion (Psalms 58:10, Psalms 58:11) expresses the righteous man's satisfaction at the result.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 58:1-5Psalms 58:1-5 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWhen wrong is done under the form of law, it is worse than any other; especially it is grievous to behold those who profess to be children of God, joining together against any of his people. We should thank the Lord for…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:1Psalms 58:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryDo ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation! The rendering of elem ( אֵלֶם) by "congregation" is contrary to all analogy, and quite untenable. It must either mean "dumb ones," or be a corruption of elim ( אֵלִים)—"…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:1-11Psalms 58:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryUnjust judges. There is a contrast in this psalm between the unjust judges of the earth, and God the righteous Judge of all men (Psalms 58:1, Psalms 58:2, and Psalms 58:11). "Do ye really, O ye gods, speak righteousness…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:1-11Psalms 58:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryA bold protest against unrighteous judges. I. THE INVETERATELY WICKED. (Psalms 58:1-5.) 1. Wicked within and, without. (Psalms 58:1, Psalms 58:2.) In heart and deed. 2. Wicked by nature and by habit. (Psalms 58:3.) Go a…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 58:1-5When wrong is done under the form of law, it is worse than any other; especially it is grievous to behold those who profess to be children of God, joining together against any of his people. We should thank the Lord for…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:1Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation! The rendering of elem ( אֵלֶם) by "congregation" is contrary to all analogy, and quite untenable. It must either mean "dumb ones," or be a corruption of elim ( אֵלִים)—"…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:1-11A bold protest against unrighteous judges. I. THE INVETERATELY WICKED. (Psalms 58:1-5.) 1. Wicked within and, without. (Psalms 58:1, Psalms 58:2.) In heart and deed. 2. Wicked by nature and by habit. (Psalms 58:3.) Go a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:1-11Unjust judges. There is a contrast in this psalm between the unjust judges of the earth, and God the righteous Judge of all men (Psalms 58:1, Psalms 58:2, and Psalms 58:11). "Do ye really, O ye gods, speak righteousness…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:2Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; literally, wickednesses, or iniquities. These ye first devise in your heart, and then (see the next clause) carry out with your hands. Ye weigh (or, weigh out) the violence of your hand…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:3The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. This is the language of hyperbole, and is certainly not the profession of the doctrine of original sin. What the psalmist me…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent (comp. Psalms 140:3; Song of Sirach 25:15). They are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear. The "adder" was supposed to be deaf, on account of its being very difficult to…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 58:5Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers. Serpent charmers are alluded to in Ecclesiastes 10:11 and Jeremiah 6:17. They have at all times been common in the East, as they are still in India; and it is with reason…Joseph S. Exell and contributors