The Meaning of Psalms 58:1 Explained

Psalms 58:1

KJV: {To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.} Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

YLT: To the Overseer. -- 'Destroy not.' -- A secret treasure, by David. Is it true, O dumb one, righteously ye speak? Uprightly ye judge, O sons of men?

Darby: {To the chief Musician. 'Destroy not.' Of David. Michtam.} Is righteousness indeed silent? Do ye speak it? Do ye judge with equity, ye sons of men?

ASV: Do ye indeed in silence speak righteousness? Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

Discover Psalms 58:1

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Psalms 58:1?

MEANING: What does Psalms 58:1 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Psalms 58:1 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Psalms 58:1?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{To the chief Musician,  Altaschith,  Michtam  of David.  }} Do ye indeed  speak  righteousness,  O congregation?  do ye judge  uprightly,  O ye sons  of men? 

What does Psalms 58:1 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The psalmist introduced his condemnation of certain unjust judges with two questions. He questioned the integrity of these men.
The Hebrew word elohim (lit. strong ones) sometimes refers to rulers in the Old Testament. Of course, it usually refers to God, the strongest of all beings. Sometimes it refers to false gods, i.e, idols. Here, as elsewhere, powerful human beings are in view (cf. Psalm 82:1; Psalm 82:6). The context suggests that they were judges in Israel.

Context Summary

Psalms 58:1-11 - "there Is A God That Judgeth"
This psalm is launched against wicked rulers. It may have been occasioned by the attitude of Abner and others of Saul's party, who accounted David as a rebel and outlaw and urged vindictive measures against him.
Their sin, Psalms 58:1-6
Poison is literally "burning heat." Such is the effect of venomous words, into which the malice of the great serpent is infused. Evil men, capable of such speech, resemble the snake tribe, which will respond only to the shrillest notes. Hot speech to man and deaf ears to God go together.
Their doom, Psalms 58:6-9
For let them read they shall, Psalms 58:7. The imperative and predictive future are in Hebrew expressed by similar words. Note the remarkable comparisons-the lion's broken jaw-tooth, the ebbing tide, the snail scorched by intense heat, the untimely birth, the quickly-expiring fire, the cyclone! Sin inevitably brings penalty, and herein is God's moral government vindicated.
The contrast, Psalms 58:10-11
As the weary traveler is refreshed when his feet are washed, so the saints are glad to see God's vindication of the righteous. There is a wide difference between the gratification of personal vengeance, and a consuming zeal to uphold God's character. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 58

1  David reproves wicked judges
3  describes the nature of the wicked
6  devotes them to God's judgments
10  whereat the righteous shall rejoice

What do the individual words in Psalms 58:1 mean?

To the Chief Musician Set to do Not Destroy of David A Michtam indeed you silent ones righteousness do you speak uprightly do you judge you sons of men
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ אַל־ תַּשְׁחֵ֗ת לְדָוִ֥ד מִכְתָּֽם הַֽאֻמְנָ֗ם ؟ אֵ֣לֶם צֶ֭דֶק תְּדַבֵּר֑וּן מֵישָׁרִ֥ים תִּ֝שְׁפְּט֗וּ בְּנֵ֣י ؟ אָדָֽם

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ  To  the  Chief  Musician 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָצַח  
Sense: to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.
אַל־  Set  to  do  Not 
Parse: Adverb
תַּשְׁחֵ֗ת  Destroy 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׁחַת  
Sense: (Hiphil) a command to the chief musician, or perhaps the title of a melody used for several Psalms.
לְדָוִ֥ד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
מִכְתָּֽם  A  Michtam 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִכְתָּם  
Sense: michtam.
הַֽאֻמְנָ֗ם  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אֻמְנָם  
Sense: verily, truly, indeed.
؟ אֵ֣לֶם  you  silent  ones 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֵלֶם  
Sense: in silence, silent.
צֶ֭דֶק  righteousness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: צֶדֶק  
Sense: justice, rightness, righteousness.
תְּדַבֵּר֑וּן  do  you  speak 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine plural, Paragogic nun
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
מֵישָׁרִ֥ים  uprightly 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מֵישָׁרִים  
Sense: evenness, uprightness, straightness, equity.
תִּ֝שְׁפְּט֗וּ  do  you  judge 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: שָׁפַט  
Sense: to judge, govern, vindicate, punish.
בְּנֵ֣י  you  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
؟ אָדָֽם  of  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָדָם 
Sense: man, mankind.

What are the major concepts related to Psalms 58:1?

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