Psalms 58:10

The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

The righteous {H6662} shall rejoice {H8055}{H8799)} when he seeth {H2372}{H8804)} the vengeance {H5359}: he shall wash {H7364}{H8799)} his feet {H6471} in the blood {H1818} of the wicked {H7563}.

The righteous will rejoice to see vengeance done, they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked;

The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;

Context

Psalm 58 is a powerful imprecatory psalm, meaning it contains a prayer or curse against enemies. It is believed to be written by David, addressing corrupt and unjust rulers or judges who perverted justice in society. The psalm opens with a strong rebuke of their deliberate wickedness and goes on to graphically describe their evil nature. Verse 10 serves as a climactic declaration, expressing confidence in God's ultimate justice and the righteous outcome of His divine intervention against these oppressive forces. It reflects a deep longing for the vindication of the innocent and the establishment of righteousness in a world marred by corruption.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Vengeance: The verse highlights God's active role as a righteous Judge who will not allow injustice to prevail indefinitely. The "vengeance" spoken of is God's rightful retribution, not human revenge, ensuring that evil deeds do not go unpunished. This aligns with the principle that vengeance belongs to the Lord.
  • Vindication of the Righteous: The "rejoicing" of the righteous is not a malicious pleasure in suffering, but a profound satisfaction in seeing God's justice executed. It is the joy of seeing divine order restored, truth triumphant, and the wicked brought to account, thereby confirming God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His people.
  • Figurative Language and Complete Victory: The vivid imagery of "washing his feet in the blood of the wicked" is a powerful hyperbole, not to be taken literally. It signifies a decisive and complete victory over the enemies of God and justice. It evokes the ancient practice of washing after battle, symbolizing not only the utter defeat and destruction of the wicked but also the cleansing and purification of the land from their defilement, establishing a new era of peace and righteousness for the righteous.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "vengeance" here is naqam (נָקָם), which often carries the connotation of divine retribution or vindication, a just response to wrongdoing rather than mere personal spite. The phrase "wash his feet in the blood of the wicked" (Hebrew: רָחַץ רַגְלָיו בְּדַם, rachats regalav b'dam) is a stark, poetic idiom. It points to the thoroughness of the judgment and the complete subjugation of the wicked, symbolizing a triumphant and undeniable end to their power and influence. It is a graphic way to convey the full extent of the Lord's victory and the subsequent peace for His faithful.

Practical Application

While the imagery is stark, Psalm 58:10 offers profound comfort and instruction for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Justice: In a world where injustice often seems to win, this verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control. We are called to trust in His perfect timing and methods for bringing justice, rather than seeking personal revenge or becoming bitter.
  • Hope for Vindication: The righteous can find hope that their suffering and the wrongs committed against them will not go unnoticed. God will ultimately judge the earth, bringing accountability and setting all things right.
  • Understanding Spiritual Warfare: This verse can be understood metaphorically in terms of spiritual warfare, where the "wicked" represent evil forces that oppose God's kingdom. The "rejoicing" is the triumph of Christ over sin and death, and the ultimate defeat of spiritual enemies.
  • Future Hope: Ultimately, this verse points to the eschatological hope where God's kingdom will fully prevail, and all evil will be eradicated, leading to a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells, and God's justice is fully manifest.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 68:23

    That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of [thine] enemies, [and] the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

  • Psalms 91:8

    Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

  • Psalms 64:10

    The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

  • Revelation 11:17

    Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

  • Revelation 11:18

    And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

  • Proverbs 11:10

    ¶ When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.

  • Deuteronomy 32:43

    Rejoice, O ye nations, [with] his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, [and] to his people.

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