Psalm 58 – Justice?
In Psalm 58 – Justice, the psalmist questions the “justice” of the rulers. The New Living Bible states: “Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word?” Good question. What is the nature of justice? Are those who claim to be just, truly just? Let’s see what we can learn from Psalm 58 – Justice.
Psalm 58
The superscription for Psalm 58 – Justice, reads: “For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.” This is another of the “Do Not Destroy” psalms. This time the focus is on the leaders of the community.
The writer asks the questions: “Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity?” (1)
Then he answers his own question: “No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.” (2)
He then goes on to further describe the nature of their injustice:
“Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.” (3-5)
God’s Actions
He asks God to “defang them” –
“Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!
Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.” (6-8)
Then the writer states what God will do:
“Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.
The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.” (9-10)
The people respond by saying:
“Then people will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.” (11)
Psalm 58:1
Some of the translations of the first verse of Psalm 58 are:
“Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity?” NIV
“Justice—do you rulers know the meaning of the word?” New Living Bible
“Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?” King James
“Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?” English Standard
“How is it that by remaining silent you can speak righteously? How can you judge people fairly?” International Standard Version
“Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones?” New King James
I have chosen to focus on the NIV version but appreciate some of the nuances that other versions add. Rulers are referred to as gods, mighty ones, and congregations in various translations. In particular, I like the New King James version where rulers are referred to as “silent ones.” Some commentators say the word transcribed from Hebrew as congregation is actually silence. Others that it should be translated mighty ones or gods. Some early commentators referred to these “gods” as angels or other celestial beings that are misbehaving. Hence the reason for the variations.
I like the use of silent ones because of the nuance that remaining silent can also be a form of injustice. “The Psalmist expostulates with the judges who neglect their office. “They are dumb when they ought to speak, as afterwards they are said to be deaf when they ought to hear.” ( Psalm 58:1 Commentaries: For the choir director; set to Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David. Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?)
This version goes on to say: “Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men?” A reminder that these mighty ones and false gods are merely men.
Application
The more things change, the more they stay the same. It’s as if this psalm was written today. So many cry out against unjust judges and rulers who treat others unfairly.
There was a time when I believed the world was progressing in a positive direction. I believed that one day non-violence would prevail and we would see a golden age where people were actually kind to each other and not concerned with amassing fortunes and power to rule over others. A time when greed did not prevail, where everyone had enough and were satisfied with that rather than lusting for more.
We are so far away from that. Now I wonder if that is but a dream for the next life, not this world. Or maybe the current situation is just the darkness before a new dawn. One can hope.
Heroes and Heavies
I recently read Peter DeHaan’s book, Heroes and Heavies of the Aprocrypha. While I’ve been aware of the aprocryphal books, especially those found in the Catholic Bible, I haven’t spent much time with them. This book was helpful for grasping their meaning through a study of the people in the Aprocrypha. As a result, I have seen once again that there is nothing new under the sun.
There are the cruel elders in the story of Susannah, who accuse Susannah of being unfaithful to her husband when she refuses their advances. And the judges and leaders in Maccabees that are bought and sold, giving out judgments based on where they can get the most money with no regard for justice. And corrupt kings abound.
Sounds like the rulers and judges in Psalm 58 – Justice. And not so different from today.
But somehow, the world continued, the Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt, and the people have continued. God’s justice prevails, though not necessarily in the time and manner that we want.
At the end of each chapter, Dehaan includes reflection questions. I was struck by the question: “How should we react to a mostly bad person who does something good?” (p. 152) This definitely bears further reflection.
Psalm 58 – Justice
I am comforted by the words of Psalm 58 – justice. They remind me that God is able to bring good out of the worst situations. And life goes on. The Psalms continue to comfort and amaze me as time after time, the writer praises God even when in terrible circumstances.
What is the nature of justice? Psalm 58 addresses this through showing the opposite – the nature of injustice.
Where is justice? Is it to be found on this earth? Is there a just person? Psalm 58 – justice, asks these questions. The answer lies in God. That is where we find true justice.
Have you experienced injustice? How do you deal with injustice?
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 58 – Vengeance is Mine, Says Me! – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and and receive a free copy of Still Dancing the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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