Psalms 58:1

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

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)}, Altaschith {H516}{H8686)}, Michtam {H4387} of David {H1732}. Do ye indeed {H552} speak {H1696}{H8762)} righteousness {H6664}, O congregation {H482}? do ye judge {H8199}{H8799)} uprightly {H4339}, O ye sons {H1121} of men {H120}?

For the leader. Set to "Do Not Destroy." By David, a mikhtam: [Rulers,] does your silence really speak justice? Are you judging people fairly?

Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

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

Commentary

Psalms 58:1 opens a powerful psalm of David, serving as a direct challenge to corrupt authority and a passionate plea for divine justice. The verse sets the stage for a strong indictment against those in power who pervert justice.

Context

The superscription, "To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David," provides crucial background. "Altaschith" (or Al-taschith) means "Destroy not," possibly indicating a plea for preservation in a time of severe distress, or perhaps a tune designation. A "Michtam of David" often signifies a psalm written during a period of David's flight or great personal danger, such as when he was pursued by King Saul. This psalm, therefore, likely emerges from David's experience of being unjustly persecuted or judged by those who should have upheld righteousness. It addresses a group referred to as "congregation" or "sons of men," clearly implying individuals holding judicial or governing authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Challenge to Corrupt Authority: The verse is a rhetorical question, "Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?" The implied answer is a resounding 'no.' David exposes the hypocrisy and moral failure of those entrusted with justice.
  • Demand for Righteous Judgment: It underscores the fundamental expectation for leaders and judges to administer justice fairly and truthfully. This aligns with the broader Old Testament emphasis on righteous judgment and integrity in legal matters.
  • Anticipation of Divine Intervention: By directly questioning human judges, David implicitly appeals to a higher court—God Himself—to intervene where human systems have failed.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "congregation" in the KJV is `'elem` (אֵלֶם). While it can mean 'silence' or 'dumbness,' many scholars suggest a slight textual emendation to `'elim` (אֵלִים), which means 'gods' or 'mighty ones.' In this context, `'elim` refers to powerful human rulers or judges, as seen in Psalm 82:1 where God stands in the congregation of the mighty ones. This interpretation powerfully emphasizes the high office and corresponding moral responsibility of those being addressed.

Practical Application

Psalms 58:1 remains profoundly relevant today. It serves as a stark reminder:

  • For Leaders: Those in positions of power, whether in government, business, or community, are called to exercise their authority with integrity, truth, and genuine justice. The psalm challenges them to reflect on whether their words and actions truly align with righteousness.
  • For Citizens: It encourages discernment regarding leadership and highlights the importance of speaking out against injustice, even when it comes from powerful figures. While vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19), the call for justice is a constant theme throughout Scripture.
  • For Personal Reflection: Beyond institutional justice, the verse prompts us to examine our own integrity. Do we speak truth? Do we act fairly in our personal dealings and judgments of others?
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 57:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] calamities be overpast.

  • Deuteronomy 16:18

    ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

  • Deuteronomy 16:19

    Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

  • Psalms 72:1

    ¶ [A Psalm] for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

  • Psalms 72:4

    He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

  • Isaiah 11:3

    And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

  • Isaiah 11:5

    And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.