Psalms 58:7

KJV

Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually: [when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let them melt away {H3988}{H8735)} as waters {H4325} which run continually {H1980}{H8691)}: when he bendeth {H1869}{H8799)} his bow to shoot his arrows {H2671}, let them be as cut in pieces {H4135}{H8709)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

May they vanish like water that drains away. May their arrows be blunted when they aim their bows.

Berean Standard Bible

May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted.

American Standard Version

Let them melt away as water that runneth apace: When he aimeth his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 58:7 is a fervent imprecation from the psalmist, pleading with God to utterly dissolve and render powerless those who pervert justice and perpetrate wickedness. Through vivid imagery of melting waters and shattered arrows, the verse expresses a profound desire for the swift and complete dissipation of evil influences and the frustration of their malicious schemes, trusting in God's ultimate and decisive judgment to bring an end to unrighteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 58 is an imprecatory psalm, a genre within the Psalter where the psalmist calls upon God to execute judgment on the wicked. Addressed "To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David," its title suggests a plea for divine intervention, perhaps even a prayer "Do Not Destroy" (Altaschith) the righteous while judging the wicked. The psalm immediately sets the scene by condemning corrupt judges or authorities who "speak wickedness" and "weigh the violence of your hands in the earth" [Psalms 58:2](/psalms/58-2 "Psalms 58:2 - The Unjust Judges"). The psalmist, likely David, expresses deep anguish over the pervasive evil and injustice he observes, appealing to God as the ultimate righteous Judge to intervene. The imagery throughout the psalm is intensely vivid, portraying the wicked as venomous serpents deaf to wisdom [Psalms 58:4](/psalms/58-4 "Psalms 58:4 - The Wicked as Venomous Serpents") and calling for their destruction in various dramatic ways, with verse 7 being a powerful articulation of this desire.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, justice was a cornerstone of society, ideally administered by judges and kings who were seen as God's representatives. Corruption within the judicial system was a grave offense, as it undermined the very fabric of covenant faithfulness and societal order. The psalmist's lament likely reflects a period of significant moral decay or oppressive rule where those in authority abused their power, perverting justice for personal gain or malice. Such circumstances would have caused immense suffering and frustration among the righteous, leading them to appeal directly to God, the supreme Judge, for vindication. The cultural expectation was that God would intervene to uphold righteousness and punish those who defied His moral law, especially those who oppressed the vulnerable.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 58 and the broader Psalter. The primary theme is **Divine Justice and Retribution**, reflecting the psalmist's fervent plea for God's righteous judgment against those who pervert justice. It underscores a profound belief that God will not allow wickedness to go unpunished indefinitely, emphasizing His role as the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong, a concept echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalms 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalms 9:8 - God Judges the World Righteously"). Another key theme is **The Dissipation of Evil**, vividly portrayed by the phrase "Let them melt away as waters which run continually." This imagery conveys a desire for the wicked to vanish completely, losing all strength and influence, much like water that flows away and is absorbed or dispersed, signifying a total and irreversible disappearance of their power and presence, as seen in [Psalms 37:2](/psalms/37-2 "Psalms 37:2 - The Short-Lived Nature of the Wicked"). Finally, the latter part of the verse, "when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces," speaks to the **Frustration of Wicked Schemes**. It is a prayer that the wicked's efforts—their "arrows" representing their plans, attacks, or instruments of harm—would be rendered useless and broken before they can achieve their destructive aim, highlighting the psalmist's trust in God's ability to thwart the designs of the unrighteous, a trust consistently found in passages like [Psalms 33:10](/psalms/33-10 "Psalms 33:10 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Melt away (Hebrew, _māmas'_):** The Hebrew verb מָסַס (*māmas*) literally means "to melt," "dissolve," or "waste away." It conveys a sense of utter disintegration, loss of substance, and vanishing. In this context, it implies a complete and irreversible dissolution of the wicked's power, influence, and even their very presence, much like a solid object that melts into nothingness or is absorbed into the ground. It suggests a divine action that causes their strength to dissipate entirely.
* **Waters which run continually (Hebrew, _mayim mithallĕkîm'_):** This phrase uses מַיִם (*mayim*), "waters," and מִתְהַלְּכִים (*mithallĕkîm*), a participle from הָלַךְ (*halak*), meaning "to walk," "go," or "flow." The combination describes water that is constantly flowing, moving, and thus dissipating or being absorbed. It emphasizes the transient and ultimately powerless nature of the wicked when confronted by divine judgment. Their existence and influence are likened to water that cannot be contained, constantly flowing away until it is gone, leaving no trace or impact.
* **Cut in pieces (Hebrew, _yitmotetu'_):** The verb יִתְמֹטְטוּ (*yitmotetu*) is derived from מוּט (*mut*), meaning "to totter," "shake," or "slip." In the Hithpael stem, as used here, it conveys the idea of being made to totter, to be shaken violently, or to fall apart and collapse. The KJV's "cut in pieces" captures the resulting destruction, but the underlying sense is that the arrows (representing the wicked's plans or attacks) would become unstable, lose their integrity, and disintegrate before they can reach their target. It signifies the complete frustration and failure of their malicious intentions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually:"** This opening clause is a powerful imprecation, a plea for the wicked to be utterly dissolved and rendered powerless. The simile of "waters which run continually" emphasizes the swiftness, completeness, and irreversibility of this dissolution. Just as flowing water cannot be gathered or contained once dispersed, so too should the influence and strength of the wicked vanish without a trace, losing all their capacity to harm or oppress. It expresses a longing for their complete and permanent removal from the sphere of influence.
* **"[when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces."** This second clause shifts the imagery to the wicked's aggressive actions and intentions. The "bow" and "arrows" represent their malicious plans, attacks, or instruments of harm. The psalmist prays that even as they prepare to execute their evil designs ("when he bendeth his bow"), their "arrows"—their very means of inflicting damage—would be rendered ineffective and shattered ("as cut in pieces") before they can achieve their destructive aim. This signifies the divine frustration of evil schemes, ensuring that the wicked's efforts to cause harm are utterly thwarted and fail to reach their intended target.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 58:7 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and the frustration of evil. The most prominent is **Simile**, seen in "Let them melt away as waters which run continually." This comparison vividly illustrates the desired outcome: the complete and irreversible dissipation of the wicked's power and presence, likening them to water that flows away and vanishes. The imagery is powerful, evoking a sense of utter loss of substance and influence. Furthermore, the verse uses **Metaphor** when it refers to the wicked's "arrows." These are not literal arrows but represent their malicious intentions, schemes, attacks, or instruments of harm. The prayer that these "arrows" be "cut in pieces" is a metaphorical plea for the complete frustration and failure of all their evil designs. The entire verse, within the context of Psalm 58, is an example of **Imprecation**, a prayer calling upon God to bring judgment and destruction upon the wicked, reflecting a deep longing for divine justice to prevail.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 58:7 stands as a powerful testament to the psalmist's unwavering belief in God's ultimate sovereignty and perfect justice. It articulates a profound human cry for divine intervention in the face of pervasive evil and corruption, affirming that God is not indifferent to injustice but will, in His time, decisively act to dismantle wicked systems and frustrate the designs of the unrighteous. This verse underscores the transient nature of wickedness and the futility of human rebellion against God's moral order, assuring believers that though evil may seem formidable for a season, it is ultimately destined to "melt away" before the righteous judgment of the Almighty. It channels the righteous indignation felt when justice is perverted, directing it not toward personal vengeance, but toward a confident appeal to the only One capable of true and perfect retribution.

* [Psalms 37:2](/psalms/37-2 "Psalms 37:2 - The Wicked Wither Like Grass")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")
* [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - The Lord is Slow to Anger but Great in Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the direct imprecations of this psalm can be challenging for a modern audience, particularly in light of New Testament teachings on loving enemies and praying for those who persecute us, Psalms 58:7 still offers profound insights for the believer. It reminds us that there is a God who sees every injustice, hears every cry of the oppressed, and will ultimately bring all things to account. When confronted with overwhelming evil, corruption, or personal wrong, this verse encourages us to channel our righteous anger and frustration not into bitterness or personal vengeance, but into fervent prayer, entrusting the outcome to God's perfect justice. It legitimizes praying for the dismantling of wicked systems and the frustration of evil intentions, seeking God's intervention to protect the innocent and uphold righteousness, rather than seeking harm upon individuals. Ultimately, it strengthens our faith in God's sovereign control over all things, assuring us that the power and influence of the wicked are ultimately transient and will "melt away" before His divine decree.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this psalm's plea for divine judgment align with or challenge your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what situations in your life or the world do you feel a similar longing for God's justice to prevail?**
* **How can you pray for the "melting away" of evil and the "cutting in pieces" of wicked schemes in a way that aligns with both the spirit of this psalm and the teachings of Christ?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the ultimate futility of wickedness in the face of God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**How do we reconcile the imprecatory nature of Psalms 58:7 with New Testament teachings on loving our enemies?**

Answer: Reconciling imprecatory psalms like Psalms 58:7 with New Testament commands to love enemies (e.g., [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")) requires careful theological understanding. First, these psalms express a profound longing for divine justice, not personal vengeance. The psalmist appeals to God, the ultimate righteous Judge, to act, rather than taking matters into his own hands. This aligns with the New Testament principle that vengeance belongs to the Lord ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, Says the Lord")). Second, the "enemies" in the psalms often represent systemic evil, oppression, and injustice that threaten God's people and His righteous order, rather than merely personal adversaries. The prayer is for the dismantling of these wicked forces and schemes, so that righteousness might prevail. While Christians are called to love individuals and pray for their salvation, they are also called to hate evil and pray for its defeat. The New Testament fulfills and transforms this longing for justice by revealing that Christ Himself is the one who ultimately judges evil and establishes perfect righteousness, rendering all wicked schemes powerless through His cross and resurrection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 58:7, with its fervent plea for the dissolution of wickedness and the frustration of evil schemes, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the righteous Judge who perfectly embodies the divine justice longed for by the psalmist. While the psalm calls for the wicked to "melt away" and their "arrows" to be "cut in pieces," Christ's work on the cross and His subsequent resurrection represent the decisive victory over all principalities and powers of darkness. Through His death, He disarmed the spiritual forces of evil, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The "melting away" of the wicked's power is realized in Christ's triumph over sin and death, which ensures that all evil is ultimately temporary and futile. His resurrection guarantees that the schemes of those who oppose God—represented by the "arrows" that are "cut in pieces"—will never ultimately succeed. Indeed, every knee will one day bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow")), signifying the complete and final dissipation of all opposition to His righteous reign. The longing for God to intervene and bring justice is fully met in Christ, who will return to judge the living and the dead, establishing His eternal kingdom where righteousness dwells ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11 - The Great White Throne Judgment")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 112:10

The wicked shall see [it], and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Joshua 7:5

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

Joshua 2:9

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Joshua 2:11

And as soon as we had heard [these things], our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he [is] God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

Exodus 15:15

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Isaiah 13:7

Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

Psalms 64:3

Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words: