Young At Heart Bible Study: The Book of Psalms Psalms 58-60

Psalm 58: Truly there is a reward

(1) <To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.> Do you indeedspeak righteousness, O congregation? Do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men? (2) Yes, in heart you work wickedness; you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. (3) The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. (4) Their poison is like thepoison of a serpent; they are like the deaf adder that stops her ear; (5) Who will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming skillfully.

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Another teaching psalm (

michtam

) from David, also composed to the tune of “DoNot Destroy.” There are various theories as to whom it applies, perhaps Saul, orNabal.

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In the Hebrew the word “congregation” which we see in the KJV is not present; verse 1 actually carries the idea of David saying that justice is silent when thesemen judge. Verse 2 means that by their unrighteous decrees they weigh out their wickedness; in other words they establish evil by their rulings.

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The rest of this section strongly condemns the twisted nature of wicked people.

(6) Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth; break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. (7) Let them melt away like waters which runcontinually, when he bends his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be asthough they were cut in pieces. (8) As a snail which melts, let every one of

Psalms Bible Study Psalms 58-60

them pass away like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not seethe sun.

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More imprecatory prayers. All the images are of enemies melting away or beingdeprived of their ability to harm, some are harsh indeed and this reflects David’sturmoil of spirit. The reference to young lions does not mean cubs, but youngand strong animals as opposed to the old.

(9) Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall make them shudder, whether green or burning. (10) The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. (11) So that aman shall say, "Truly there is a reward for the righteous; truly he is a God who judges in the earth."

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Thorns were used to start fires and burned quickly; this is the idea – God will act before they can start their fire. Verse 10 is strong imagery from the battlefield,unpleasant to but a part of David’s reality.

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In Verse 11 we see that a judgment quickly rendered by God affects the thinkingof all who will consider it.

Psalm 59: A narrow escape

(1) <To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent,and they watched the house to kill him.> Deliver me from my enemies, Omy God; defend me from those who rise up against me.

Psalms Bible Study Psalms 58-60

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Another teaching Psalm set to “Do Not Destroy.” This psalm tells us the story of David’s narrow escape from his own home:

Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life tonight, tomorrow thoushalt be slain. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped. (1 Sam. 19:11-12)

(2) Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.(3) For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty are gathered against me;not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. (4) They run and preparethemselves without my fault; awake to help me, and behold.

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David had indeed gone over and above to prove his love to Saul!

(5) You therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit allthe heathen; do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. (6)They return at evening; they make a noise like a dog, and go around the city.(7) Behold, they belch out with their mouth; swords are in their lips - for who, say they, hears? (8) But you, O LORD, shall laugh at them; you shallhave all the heathen in derision.

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Here we see echoes of Psalm 2. The heathen forget, then oppose God, and Helaughs!