Psalms 58:1
Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
Original Language Analysis
צֶ֭דֶק
righteousness
H6664
צֶ֭דֶק
righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
3 of 8
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
תְּדַבֵּר֑וּן
speak
H1696
תְּדַבֵּר֑וּן
speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 8
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
מֵישָׁרִ֥ים
uprightly
H4339
מֵישָׁרִ֥ים
uprightly
Strong's:
H4339
Word #:
5 of 8
evenness, i.e., (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e., (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often adv
תִּ֝שְׁפְּט֗וּ
do ye judge
H8199
תִּ֝שְׁפְּט֗וּ
do ye judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
6 of 8
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
Cross References
Psalms 57:1Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.Psalms 59:1Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.Matthew 26:3Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,Numbers 11:16And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.2 Samuel 5:3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.Isaiah 32:1Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.Acts 5:21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.Matthew 27:1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
Historical Context
This psalm likely addresses corrupt officials during Saul's reign or possibly during Absalom's rebellion. The judicial system's corruption was a recurring prophetic complaint (Isaiah 1:23, Micah 3:11), demonstrating that institutional evil requires prophetic rebuke.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the responsibility of those in authority when they witness injustice?
- How should Christians respond when institutional leaders fail to uphold justice?
Analysis & Commentary
David's rhetorical question to the 'congregation' (Hebrew 'elem'—mighty ones/judges) exposes the silence of those obligated to speak justice. The parallel 'judge uprightly' reveals covenant obligation—leaders must execute God's righteous standards. Their silence in the face of injustice constitutes covenant violation, anticipating Christ's denunciation of religious leaders who 'shut up the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 23:13).