Psalms 58:1

PSALM LVIII

David reproves wicked counsellors and judges, who pervert

justice, and stir up the strong against the weak and innocent,

1-5.

He foretells their destruction, and describes the nature of it,

6-9.

The righteous, seeing this, will magnify God's justice and

providence, 10, 11.

NOTES ON PSALM LVIII

The title seems to have no reference to the subject of the Psalm. See the introduction to the preceding. Psalms 57:1 Saul having attempted the life of David, the latter was obliged to flee from the court, and take refuge in the deserts of Judea. Saul, missing him, is supposed by Bishop Patrick to have called a council, when they, to ingratiate themselves with the monarch, adjudged David to be guilty of treason in aspiring to the throne of Israel. This being made known to David was the cause of this Psalm. It is a good lesson to all kings, judges, and civil magistrates; and from it they obtain maxims to regulate their conduct and influence their decisions; and at the same time they may discern the awful account they must give to God, and the dreadful punishment they shall incur who prostitute justice to serve sinister ends.

Verse Psalms 58:1. Do ye indeed speak righteousness] Or, O cabinet seeing ye profess to act according to the principles of justice, why do ye not give righteous counsels and just decisions, ye sons of men? Or, it may be an irony: What excellent judges you are! well do ye judge according to law and justice, when ye give decisions not founded on any law, nor supported by any principle of justice! To please your master, ye pervert judgment; and take part against the innocent, in order to retain your places and their emoluments. Saul's counsellors appear to have done so, though in their consciences they must have been satisfied of David's innocence.