Psalm-58

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim - Psalm 58”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction to Psalm 58:

This Psalm is a “Michtam” a golden poem of profound depth, set to the melody of Al-tashheth (“Do Not Destroy”). It is a blistering critique of corrupt judicial systems. Written by David, it addresses those in positions of power who use the law as a mask for cruelty. It moves from a stinging indictment of human “justice” to a plea for Divine intervention, ending with the ultimate triumph of the righteous!

Let us read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 58: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanach).

1. For the Leader; Al-tashheth. (A Psalm) of David; Michtam.
2. Do ye indeed speak as a righteous company? Do ye judge with equity the sons of men?
3. Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh out in the earth the violence of your hands.
4. The wicked are estranged from the womb; the speakers of lies go astray as soon as they are born.
5. Their venom is like the venom of a serpent; they are like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ear;
6. Which hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers, or of the most cunning binder of spells.
7. Break their teeth, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), in their mouth; break out the cheek-teeth of the young lions, O יְהוָה - LORD.
8. Let them melt away as water that runneth apace;
when he aimeth his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off.
9. Let them be as a snail which melteth and passeth away; like the untimely births of a woman, that have not seen the sun.
10. Before your pots can feel the thorns, He will sweep it away with a whirlwind, the raw and the burning alike.
11. The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
12. And men shall say: ‘Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily there is a אֱלֹהִים - Elohim that judgeth in the earth’”.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ item with explanations:

1. “For the Leader; Al-tashheth. (A Psalm) of David; Michtam”.

Explanation: The heading identifies the musical direction and the nature of the Psalm. “Do Not Destroy” (Al-tashheth) suggests a time of great peril for David, where he sought אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s protection against those seeking his ruin.

2. “Do ye indeed speak as a righteous company? Do ye judge with equity the sons of men?”

Explanation: David begins with a piercing rhetorical question. He challenges the "company" (the council or judges) to examine their own words. The Hebrew implies a “silence” of justice, asking if they are truly speaking righteousness or if their silence is complicity.

3. “Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh out in the earth the violence of your hands”.

Explanation: Injustice is not an accident; it is premeditated in the heart. David uses the imagery of the scales of justice instead of weighing truth: these judges are “weighing out” portions of violence to be distributed across the land.

4. “The wicked are estranged from the womb; the speakers of lies go astray as soon as they are born”.

Explanation: This verse highlights the “nature” of the corrupt. Their commitment to falsehood is so deep-seated that it seems inherent. They have turned away from the path of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim since their very beginning.

5. “Their venom is like the venom of a serpent; they are like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ear”.

Explanation: The wicked are compared to a poisonous snake. The “deaf asp” is a metaphor for an intentional refusal to listen. They are not merely ignorant; they purposely block their ears to the cries of the poor and the demands of the Law.

6. “Which hearkeneth not to the voice of charmers, or of the most cunning binder of spells”.

Explanation: Even the most skilled “charmer” a metaphor for the most logical or moral argument cannot change their minds. They are determined to remain in their venomous state.

7. “Break their teeth, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, in their mouth; break out the cheek-teeth of the young lions, O יְהוָה - LORD”.

Explanation: David asks אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to disarm them. The “teeth” are the tools of their destruction. By breaking the teeth of these “young lions,” אֱלֹהִים - Elohim renders the predators harmless and unable to devour the innocent.

8. “Let them melt away as water that runneth apace; when he aimeth his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off”.

Explanation: He prays that their influence would be like water poured on sand, vanishing quickly. Even when they prepare to attack (aiming their arrows), may their efforts be “cut off” and fail to reach their target.

9. “Let them be as a snail which melteth and passeth away; like the untimely births of a woman, that have not seen the sun”.

Explanation: The snail leaves a trail of itself as it moves, seemingly “melting” away as it goes. David asks that the wicked exhaust themselves into nothingness, like a life that never reached the light of day.

10. “Before your pots can feel the thorns, He will sweep it away with a whirlwind, the raw and the burning alike”.

Explanation: This is a vivid image of a desert campfire made of thornbushes. Before the fire can even heat the cooking pot, a sudden storm (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s judgment) sweeps everything away, both the unburnt wood (the raw) and the kindled flame (the burning).

11. “The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked”.

Explanation: This is not a call for cruelty, but a celebration of the end of tyranny. To “wash his feet” indicates a total victory and the cleansing of the earth from the filth of oppression.

12. “And men shall say: ‘Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth’”.

Explanation: The ultimate goal of Divine judgment is the restoration of faith. When the corrupt fall, the world realizes that there is an ultimate moral authority. The “fruit” of righteousness is finally visible to all!

My Closing Message:

This Psalm remains a powerful tool for those who feel silenced by the systems of this world. It reminds us that while man may weigh out violence, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim weighs the heart. It encourages the righteous to persevere, knowing that the “whirlwind” of truth will eventually sweep away the structures of lies. May this study strengthen you, reminding us all that there is indeed a Judge in the earth!

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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