RR Psalm 58:1-3 Part 1

Shalom,

Psalm 58:1 For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David. 2 Do you really speak of justice, O “gods”? Do you judge with fairness, sons of man? 3 No, in heart you devise injustice. Your hands weigh out violence on earth.

Overview: As we start our study of Psalm 58, we make several general observations.  This is yet another Psalm “of David” (about half the Psalms are).  Each of David’s Psalms deals with a period of difficulty, stress, and testing in David’s life.  There are a total of 12 Psalms (beginning with Psalm 3 and ending with Psalm 64) that deal with the rebellion of David’s son, Absalom.  Psalm 58 is the 8th one.  What strikes me here, is that even though Absalom sent an army to kill his father (David), David instructed his own army to preserve and even to protect the life of Absalom.  When Absalom died, David grieved, and no-one dared to celebrate.

Notice also the similarity of the last verses of Psalms 58, 64, and 140.

Psalm 58:11 The righteous one will rejoice when he beholds vengeance, when he washes his feet in the blood of the wicked. 12 Then men will say: “There really is a reward for the righteous. There really is a God who judges on earth!”

Psalm 64:11 The righteous will be glad in Adonai and take refuge in Him. Let all the upright in heart give glory!

Psalm 140:14 Surely, the righteous ones will praise Your name. The upright will dwell in Your presence.

Is there any doubt these were all written by the same man, who is called the man after God’s own heart?  End Overview.

David is addressing Absalom’s claim to be a “more impartial” judge than his father, David.  2Samuel 15:4 Moreover, Absalom would say, “If only I were appointed judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or case would come to me, and I would get him justice!” …6 So Absalom kept doing this to everyone of Israel who came to the king for judgment. Thus Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

The truth about Absalom and his followers is revealed in Psalm 58:3a …No, in heart you devise injustice.

The Hebrew word for “injustice” is “Evel” (Ayin-Vav-Lamed), which may be the derivation on our English word “evil.”  The “Topical Lexicon” says this… “(Evel) designates moral crookedness expressed in acts of injustice, unrighteousness, deceit, or fraud. It contrasts with ‘Tṣedeq,’ righteousness, and ‘Mishpat,’ justice or judgment, underscoring a violation of God-given order within personal, social, and covenantal relationships.”
 
“Lo Ta’asu Evel BaMishpat”  Leviticus 19:15 “You are to do no injustice in judgment.”  The Bible warns us extensively against unequal weights, thus tipping the scales of justice.  Proverbs 20:10 Unequal weights and measures—both are an abomination to Adonai.  In God’s kingdom, everything and everybody is in perfect alignment with God’s will.  And we pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”  Bo Yeshua Bo, come Yeshua, come.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed15-July 20261st of Av, 5786Rosh Chodesh Av
De 1:39-2:1, Nu 28:11-15Ez 261 Ch 5Col 1 (Lk 22:39-71)