Psalms 58

Psalms 58THEME: An imprecatory prayer against the enemyNotice that this is another al-taschith as well as another michtam psalm. It means that there is something substantial and enduring here, and it means “destroy not.” Now it begins with a question, and who is asking it? I believe it is God who is speaking, using the pen of David.

Psalms 58:1

Or, as Dr. Gaebelein translates it: “Is righteousness indeed silent? Do ye judges speak it? Do ye with uprightness judge the children of men?” The day is going to come when the Lord is going to call on the judges to turn in their report. God is asking, “Is righteousness indeed silent? Do ye judges speak it?” They will have to answer these questions. This is another imprecatory prayer. David’s enemies are all around him.

Psalms 58:3

David prays for six destructions to come upon his enemies in this psalm: (1) “Break out the great teeth of the young lions.” We have already found that the enemy is like a lion. There are those who say that a Christian cannot pray this way. I have prayed that the Lord would absolutely deal with Satan. He is like a roaring lion, and I hope God breaks his teeth. I don’t consider that unchristian at all. David is speaking of his enemies, and he is under law; so he is asking for justice. Now he uses another figure of speech:

Psalms 58:7

(2) Wickedness was like a flood! He asks that this flood of wickedness might just melt away. (3) “When he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.” The enemy is like a marksman who is shooting at him. What a picture we have here!

Psalms 58:8

(4) “As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away.” There is a certain snail in that country called a “slimeworm” which actually melts away in the heat of the sun. David is saying, “The enemy leaves a slimy trail, but evaporate him! Get rid of that slimy trail through the world.” (5) “Like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.” That is, may they not come to fruition in the things they plan in the evil womb of their mind. May it come to nought.

Psalms 58:9

(6) “Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away"the twigs of the bramble bush are gathered together and put under the pot to heat it, then a wind comes along and blows them away. David says, “Oh, God, remove them before they can do their dirty work, before they can burn and sear.” This is a tremendous prayer.