Psalm 58:1-5

Psalm 58 is strikingly similar to Psalm 57 in several ways: (1) both psalms fall into two parts: in both psalms, verses 1-5 and verses 6-11; although Psalm 58 does not have a recurring refrain in verses 5 and 11 like Psalm 57; (2) powerful, wicked enemies are threatening both psalmists; (3) both psalms entrust God with the overthrow of these enemies. Psalm 58:1-5 reproves the psalmist's enemies for perpetrating oppression (verses 1-2), then describes the evil deeds of the wicked (verses 3-5):

"Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
So you judge people fairly?
No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
your hands deal out violence on earth.
The wicked go astray from the womb;
they err from their birth, speaking lies.
They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
or of the cunning enchanter."

1. It is impossible to know whether the Hebrew word for those addressed in verse 1a means "gods" or "mighty ones," which includes heavenly beings and human beings. If the meaning is "gods," Psalm 58:1 would be very similar in thought to Psalm 82:1, which describes Yahweh holding council in the midst of the gods concerning judgment he will bring on those who practice injustice and unrighteousness. In this case, the gods of Psalm 58:1 would be wicked angels, perhaps including the devil (see Matthew 25:41; Job 1:6; 2:1), demons (Deuteronomy 32:16-17; Matthew 8:28-9:1; 12:22-32), evil spirits (Acts 19:11-20), the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12), and the like. On the other hand, if the meaning is "mighty ones," Psalm 58:1 would be similar to numerous passages in the prophets which condemn influential and powerful and wealthy leaders of God's people for oppressing the poor and needy and helpless (Amos 5:11-12; 6:4-7; 8:4-6; Micah 3:5-12; Isaiah 1:21-26; etc.).
2. Injustice, unfair treatment, oppression, and violence toward others is a "heart" problem. Those who do such things first "devise wrongs" in their hearts (verse 2a). A person's whole life is determined by the attitude of her or his heart. The reason God destroyed humankind by flood in the days of Noah is that "every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). As sad and painful as it may be, those who seek to live godly in Christ Jesus can expect oppression from people who have corrupt hearts.
3. Evil thoughts in the heart produce ungodly speech. So Psalm 58:3 condemns evildoers for "speaking lies." Evildoers are experts in using smooth words to flatter the very people they are planning to try to destroy, and in praising God only to curse those made in God's image (James 3:9-10).
4. Evil thoughts in the heart produce "violence" which people practice with their "hands" (verse 2b). After the author of Genesis reports that God saw that "every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5), he says in Genesis 6:11: "Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence." Those who have corrupt hearts can hurt innocent, loving, Christ-centered people viciously without feeling any pangs of conscience. They tell others what trusting people have told them in confidence, quote what people say out of context and thus misrepresent them, "dismiss" people who have given their lives to a business or institution or cause sacrificially, pretend to be the best of friends in one setting and snub "best friends" in another setting, etc. Paul says their "consciences are seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2).
5. The statements in verse 3: "the wicked go astray from the womb" and "they err from their birth," are difficult to interpret. When viewed in light of the overall teachings of the Bible, these lines do not mean that people inherit sin from their parents. If this were the case, no one would be responsible for his or her sins, because he or she could not keep from sinning. Yet the Bible teaches that each person is responsible for her or his own sins (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 10:26-31). Rather, apparently the psalmist means that his enemies are "hardened sinners," that is, they made sin a way of life long ago, and now it is a natural habit for them. Jeremiah uses several figures to describe God's people in his day like this in Jeremiah 2:20-29; 13:23; and other texts.
God's faithful servants should not be surprised at opposition and persecution from enemies. Jesus and the first century church faced just such violence. See 1 Peter 4:12-19.

John Willis