Click here to read PSALM 58 in poetic form.
Background
This Psalm has the title “Michtam,” which literally means an engraving. Psalms 56 through 60 all begin with this title. It is first seen in its only other occurrence—Psalm 16. All six of these titles deal with the Messiah’s death and resurrection.
These six Psalms are “engravings” in that they are established and will absolutely come to pass. As we go through Psalms 56—60, note the absolute certainty of God rescuing David from his enemies, and also of David’s conviction that his “son,” the Messiah, would be raised from the dead.
Structure
(Verse 1) Judgment by sons of men—not righteous
(Verses 2-5) The wicked—they lie and will not listen
(Verses 6-8) Prayer for God’s justice against evil men
(Verses 7-10) The righteous one overcomes the wicked
(Verse 11) Judgment by God—righteous
Key Scriptures
Verse 6—“break out the great teeth of the young lions.” People living in Biblical times recognized the different stages in a male and female lion’s life. This Psalm speaks of the “young lions”—the kephyir, or young lions with a mane. Job 4:10 and 11 includes these young lions among others: “The roaring of the lion [aryeh, a violent and piercing lion], and the voice of the fierce lion [shachal, roaring lion], and the teeth of the young lions [kephyir, a maned lion], are broken. The old lion [layish, a crushing lion] perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s [labiy, a lioness] whelps are scattered abroad.” David physically killed a lion while protecting his sheep (I Samuel 17:34-36). Jesus Christ was sent to overcome the Devil and destroy his works (Acts 10:38; I John 3:8). He defeated the roaring lion for all time (I Peter 5:8,9; Hebrews 2:14).
Verse 8—“As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away.” This is the only place the snail is mentioned in the Bible. This is another animal example to show the Psalmist’s desire for God’s justice. The wicked are to be “as” a snail—a comparison directly stated. The “young lions” are to have their teeth broken out—a comparison implied, since “like” or “as” is not used.
Verse 9—“Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind.” This is similar to Ecclesiastes 7:6: “For as the crackling of thorns under a pot.” In both places, rhyming Hebrew words are used—hassirim (thorns) and hassir (pot). This Eastern expression shows the swiftness of God’s justice, quicker than dry thorns can heat up a cooking pot.
Verse 10—“wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.” Foot washing was a necessary part of Biblical life after a day of walking on dusty paths. It symbolized refreshment, and only a lowly servant would wash a stranger’s feet. Only in a very special situation would a host wash his friends’ feet—as Jesus did with his disciples shortly before his death (see Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; I Samuel 25:41; II Samuel 11:8; Psalms 58:10; Luke 7:38; John 13:5,6,8,10,14). Here the righteous will “rejoice” and be refreshed with God’s victory and judgment over the wicked.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
