Psalms 58

Psalms 58:1

Title. Michtam. See App-65.

Do ye indeed . . . ? Figure of Speech. Erotesis. App-6. Render:

“Are ye indeed silent [when] ye should speak righteousness? When ye should judge with equity, O ye sons of men?”

O congregation: or, O faction. Hebrew. ’elem. Occurs only here and in the subscription of Psalm 55 = silent. So human judges are dumb when they ought to speak, and deaf when they ought to hear (Psalms 58:4).

men. Hebrew. ’adam. App-14.

Psalms 58:2

wickedness. Hebrew. ’avval. Compare App-44.

Ye weigh = Ye weigh out, or, dispense.

Psalms 58:3

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha’. App-44.

Psalms 58:6

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Psalms 58:7

cut in pieces = cut down [like grass].

Psalms 58:9

the thorns. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the fire caused by them (Ecclesiastes 7:6).

Psalms 58:11

the righteous = the righteous one.

He is a God: or, There is a God, judges in the earth [will say]. Note the Introversion in this verse.