Psalms 58:2
Psalms 58:2 in Multiple Translations
No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
Nay, in heart ye work wickedness; Ye weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.
The purposes of your hearts are evil; your hands are full of cruel doings on the earth.
No, for in your minds you plan evil. You cause violence everywhere!
Yea, rather ye imagine mischiefe in your heart: your hands execute crueltie vpon the earth.
Even in heart ye work iniquities, In the land the violence of your hands ye ponder.
No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.
Yes, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; and defend me from them that rise up against me.
No, in your inner beings you think only about doing what is wrong, and you commit violent crimes in this land of Israel.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 58:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 58:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַֽ/אֻמְנָ֗ם
אֵ֣לֶם
צֶ֭דֶק
תְּדַבֵּר֑וּ/ן
מֵישָׁרִ֥ים
תִּ֝שְׁפְּט֗וּ
בְּנֵ֣י
אָדָֽם
הַֽ/אֻמְנָ֗ם
ʼumnâm
H552
truly
Part | Adv
אֵ֣לֶם
ʼêlem
H482
silence
N-ms
צֶ֭דֶק
tsedeq
H6664
Righteousness
N-ms
תְּדַבֵּר֑וּ/ן
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp | Suff
מֵישָׁרִ֥ים
mêyshâr
H4339
uprightness
N-mp
תִּ֝שְׁפְּט֗וּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 58:2
הַֽ/אֻמְנָ֗ם
ʼumnâm
H552
"truly"
Part | Adv
This word means truly or verily, emphasizing the truth of something. It is used to confirm or affirm a statement, as seen in the KJV translations. In the Bible, it is used by authors to stress the certainty of their words.
Definition: verily, truly, indeed
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: in (very) deed; of a surety. See also: Genesis 18:13; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalms 58:2.
אֵ֣לֶם
ʼêlem
H482
"silence"
N-ms
This word means silence or being quiet, often in a situation where someone is being judged or evaluated. It appears in Psalm 35:20, where David talks about the silence of his enemies. The word is sometimes translated as 'congregation' in English Bibles.
Definition: in silence, silent
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: congregation. Compare H3128 (יוֹנַת אֵלֶם רְחֹקִים). See also: Psalms 56:1; Psalms 58:2.
צֶ֭דֶק
tsedeq
H6664
"Righteousness"
N-ms
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Definition: This name means justice, righteousness Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness). See also: Leviticus 19:15; Psalms 119:138; Psalms 4:2.
תְּדַבֵּר֑וּ/ן
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp | Suff
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
מֵישָׁרִ֥ים
mêyshâr
H4339
"uprightness"
N-mp
Uprightness refers to being fair and just, as seen in the Bible. It can also mean smoothness or straightness, often used to describe doing things rightly.
Definition: 1) evenness, uprightness, straightness, equity 1a) evenness, level, smoothness 1b) uprightness, equity 1c) rightly (as adv)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: agreement, aright, that are equal, equity, (things that are) right(-eously, things), sweetly, upright(-ly, -ness). See also: 1 Chronicles 29:17; Proverbs 2:9; Psalms 9:9.
תִּ֝שְׁפְּט֗וּ
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
בְּנֵ֣י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 58:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 58:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 58:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 58:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 58:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 58:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
- Sermons on Psalms 58:2
Context — God Judges the Earth
1Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
2No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
3The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth. 4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 94:20 | Can a corrupt throne be Your ally— one devising mischief by decree? |
| 2 | Isaiah 10:1 | Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, |
| 3 | Ezekiel 22:27 | Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. |
| 4 | John 11:47–53 | Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also for the scattered children of God, to gather them together into one. So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. |
| 5 | Isaiah 59:4–6 | No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity. They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched. Their cobwebs cannot be made into clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their deeds are sinful deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. |
| 6 | Micah 3:9–12 | Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right, who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge. |
| 7 | Micah 3:1–3 | Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 26:7 | The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 22:16–17 | He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. “But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.” |
| 10 | Malachi 3:15 | So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’” |
Psalms 58:2 Summary
This verse, Psalms 58:2, is saying that even if we think we are doing the right thing, our hearts can still be planning and thinking about doing wrong. This is why it's so important to ask God to help us think and act justly, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. We need to be careful what we think about and plan in our hearts, because it will ultimately lead to our actions, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:18-19. By seeking God's guidance and wisdom, we can ensure that our hearts do not devise injustice and that our actions promote justice and fairness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'devise injustice' in our hearts?
This means to plan or think about doing wrong, even if we don't act on it, as seen in Psalms 58:2. In Jeremiah 17:9, we are reminded that our hearts can be deceitful and wicked, which is why we need God's guidance and wisdom to think and act justly.
How does this verse relate to the actions of rulers and leaders?
The verse is addressing rulers and leaders, warning them that their actions have consequences, as seen in Psalms 58:1-2. In Proverbs 29:12, we are reminded that if a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked, highlighting the importance of just and fair leadership.
What is the relationship between the heart and our actions?
According to Psalms 58:2, what we think and plan in our hearts will ultimately lead to our actions, as also seen in Matthew 15:18-19, where Jesus teaches that our words and actions come from our heart.
How can we ensure that our hearts do not devise injustice?
We can ensure that our hearts do not devise injustice by seeking God's wisdom and guidance, as seen in James 1:5, and by meditating on His word, as seen in Psalms 119:11, to keep our thoughts and actions just and fair.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be devising injustice in my own heart, and how can I change my thoughts and actions to be more just and fair?
- How do my thoughts and actions impact those around me, and what can I do to promote justice and fairness in my community?
- What role does self-reflection and introspection play in recognizing and changing unjust thoughts and behaviors?
- How can I seek God's guidance and wisdom to ensure that my heart does not devise injustice, and what Bible verses can I meditate on to help me?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 58:2
Yea, in heart ye work wickedness,.... So far were they from speaking righteousness, and judging uprightly.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 58:2
Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. Yea, in heart ye work wickedness - Hebrew 'wickednesses.' "Yea," or also.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
In heart; or, with your heart; with free choice and consent, and not only by constraint, and out of compliance with Saul. Ye weigh the violence of your hands; or, you weigh violence or injustice with your hands. The phrase of weighing hath respect to their office, which was to administer justice, which is usually expressed by a pair of balances. So he intimates that they did great wrong under the pretence and with the formalities of justice; and whilst they scented exactly to weigh and consider the true and fit proportion between the actions and the recompences allotted to them, they turned the scale; and partly to curry favour with Saul, and partly from their own malice against David, pronounced an unjust sentence against him. In the earth; or, in this land, where God is present, and where you have righteous laws to govern you, and you profess better things.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
Psalms 58:2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.Ver. 2. Yea, in heart ye work wickedness] These the devil worketh it as in a forge; ye are always plotting and ploughing mischief, and that not so much for fear of Saul, or to please him, as out of the naughtiness of your own hearts; and all this you know in your consciences to be true. Kimchi saith, that the word Aph, or yea, importeth, that their hearts were made for a better purpose; and therefore their sin was the greater. Corruptio optimi pessima. Ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth] i.e. Your bribes, saith Kimchi; these we weigh or poise, quasi essent recta, as if there were no hurt in them: so Demosthenes weighed Harpalus’ s goblet, to the great danger of his country, and his own indelible infamy. Manus vestrae concinnant iniquitatem (Vul.). The Arabic rendereth it, Manus vestrae in tenebris immersae sunt, your hands are drowned in darkness; you seem to do all according to law and justice (pictured with a pair of balances in her hand), when, indeed, you weigh out wrong for right, and do things καταπροσκλισιν, by partiality, 1 Timothy 5:21, by tilting the balance on the one side, Trutina iustior. Prov. ζυγονμηπαραBαινειν (Pythag. Symb.).
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
(2) In heart . . . in the earth (or, better, in the land).—These in the text are in antithesis. The mischief conceived in the heart is weighed out, instead of justice, by these unjust magistrates. The balance of justice is thus turned into a means of wrong-doing. But, perhaps, we should rather arrange as follows: Nay! with your heart ye work wickedness in the land, With your hands you weigh out violence.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
Verse 2. Yea, in heart ye work wickedness] With their tongues they had spoken maliciously, and given evil counsel. In their hearts they meditated nothing but wickedness. And though in their hands they held the scales of justice, yet in their use of them they were balances of injustice and violence. This is the fact to which the psalmist alludes, and the figure which he uses is that of justice with her scales or balances, which, though it might be the emblem of the court, yet it did not prevail in the practice of these magistrates and counsellors.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 58:2
2. Yea] Or, Nay, for the particle implies a negative answer, and an additional accusation. Far from judging equitably, you are yourselves the greatest offenders. in heart] Inwardly they are ever contriving some scheme of injustice, like the nobles against whom Micah inveighs (Psalms 2:1), as “working evil upon their beds.” ye weigh] R.V., ye weigh out. There is a bitter irony in the use of a word strictly applicable to justice only. For the metaphor of the ‘scales of justice’ cp. Job 31:6. in the earth] Or, in the land; publicly and openly, carrying into execution the schemes they contrive in their hearts. Cp. Micah 2:1.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 58:2
Yea, in heart ye work wickedness - Whatever might be the outward appearances, whatever pretences they might make to just judgment, yet in fact their hearts were set on wickedness, and they were conscious of doing wrong.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 58:2
2. Yea, in heart—Here is the seat of all iniquity. They sinned, not from ignorance, but from disposition and intention. Ye weigh—Ironically spoken.
Sermons on Psalms 58:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Deliverance From Sodom by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that Sodom represents the wickedness within our own hearts rather than just external cities. He explains that we are all born with a sinful nature, but G |
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The Inquisition by Ian Paisley | Ian Paisley delivers a sermon reflecting on the horrors of the Inquisition, describing it as a system born out of prodigious iniquity and cruelty, incompatible with freedom and hum |
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(Isaiah) the Glory of the Messiah’s Reign by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of unfairness and exploitation in society. He condemns those who take advantage of the weak and vulnerable, such as the poor, widow |
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No Dirty Dogs Shall Ever Trample Upon That Golden Pavement by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the stark contrast between the holiness of heaven and the unholiness of sinful people, using vivid animal imagery to describe the nature of the unholy. He |
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The Wolf by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook uses the analogy of wolves to illustrate the wild, savage, and cruel nature of sin and wickedness in the world. She draws parallels between the behavior of wolves, |
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The Glory of God - Part 2 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the teachings of John's Gospel and applying them to our own lives. He highlights the idea that the Lord Jesus |
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Week of Meetings 03 Son Finds Fathers Family by John W. Bramhall | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the eternal and divine perfection of God's work. He highlights that the Father's heart has been revealed through the coming of the Son into |