Psalm 58 and 59


Psalm 58

In this Psalm David cries out to God to take vengeance on the wicked, and particularly on those who are leaders among the people, and yet, plan how to do what is unjust and in doing so, deal out violence in the earth, vs 1,2.

He describes them to be those who go astray from their birth and affirms that the moment one starts lying, one begins to walk on the path that will ultimately end in gross deception, vs 3. They actually partake of the poison of the serpent of old, who is really the devil himself, also known to be the ‘Father of lies’, John 8:44, and refuse to receive the love of the truth, so as to be saved, vs 4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.

They are as deaf as a serpent who simply won’t respond even to a magician or a skilled snake charmer, vs 5! So, he pleads with God to deal with them so drastically that their power to bite their prey and their authority which they use to torment the righteous, be completely taken away from them, vs 6.

He asks God to cause them to disappear like flowing water and wither like grass, vs 7. To let them become like a snail that melts away as it moves along and like stillborn babies that never sees the sun, vs 8! Further, he pleads with God to cause their plans to be aborted before they can ever mature fully, vs 9.

He asks God to do this, so that the godly will have reason to rejoice and observers will say, “Yes indeed, the godly are rewarded! Yes indeed, there is a God who judges in the earth!”, vs 10,11.

So, dearly beloved people of God, let us seek God wholeheartedly in prayer asking Him, in faith, to turn the tide against those who are bent on doing evil and who keep believing and propagating lies, so that eventually, justice flows like torrents of waters and righteous actions like a stream that never dries up, Amos 5:24, in our lives, homes, Churches, Nation and Nations of the earth! Amen.

Psalm 59

This is just one more Psalm that shows, so clearly, how David’s trials became the reason for which he drew very close to God. David WROTE this prayer when Saul sent men to surround his house and murder him, 1 Samuel 19:9-15.

This was before he was fleeing about as a fugitive in the wilderness. As David becomes aware of the danger, he writes out this prayer to the Lord, without even imagining that his prayer was inspired by the Holy Spirit and would be read for generations to come as a part of Scripture! Because he made it a point to look to God to meet his need in the trying circumstances of his life, his writings now serve as an example for us to draw benefit from.

Here, he cries out to God for deliverance and protection from his enemies, who are evil doers and violent men, who ambush him and stalk him, despite the fact that he has done them no harm, vs 1-4. He acknowledges God to be the invincible warrior and asks God to take notice and punish the evildoers, vs 5.

He tells God the various things that they do, viz. they threaten him, prowl around and hurl insults at him, and speak sinful words of cursing and lying for they feel that God can’t see or hear them, vs 6,7,12. However, David being conscious of God’s presence, sees God laughing at them in return and sees God to be his refuge and source of strength, a God who loves him and who will help him triumph over His enemies, vs 8-10.

He asks God not to kill them instantly, lest they learn nothing from this experience, but rather, first make them homeless vagabonds, who wander around looking for food, before bringing them down in the end, so that they ultimately realise that God rules in Jacob and unto the ends of the earth as well, vs 11, 13-15.

As for him, after casting his care on the Lord, He chooses to sing about God’s strength and praises God for His loyal love that he is confident of experiencing in the morning. *For he considers God to be His refuge and place of shelter when he faces trouble, vs 16,17.

What an amazing way to handle such a trying situation*!
If David, who lived under the old covenant, could walk with such confidence and access into God’s presence, because he made sure to keep his hands and heart pure, then, how much more can we, who now live under the New covenant!

May his example encourage us to be very careful how we live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil, Ephesians 5: 15,16, so that we are not overcome by the evil we experience around us, but rather, by God’s grace, overcome evil with good. Amen.

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.