Read Psalm 58
Guided question at the bottom.
For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.
Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do you judge people with equity?
2No, in your heart you devise injustice,
and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
3Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however skillful the enchanter may be.
6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—
whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.
10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11Then people will say,
“Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.”
Questions
What injustice is David addressing throughout this psalm? How does he describe the actions of the wicked in verses 1-5?
Why does David call on God to act against the wicked so strongly in verses 6-9? How do you reconcile this with Jesus’ teaching on loving enemies?
What hope does David express for the righteous in verse 11? How can this encourage us when facing injustice?
How does Paul describe spiritual warfare in verses 10-18? How often do you think about this?
Which part of the armor of God do you feel most equipped with, and which part do you need to focus on strengthening?
Why is prayer emphasized as part of spiritual warfare in verses 18-20? How can we incorporate persistent prayer into our lives?