My wife and I are reading through the Psalms in our evening reading and occasionally a nugget of the Psalms jumps out of the page. Don’t you love it when, after years of reading the “Old Book” passages become alive, reinforcing old teachings or simply warming your heart.
This is the book of Psalms, and it is rich.
I pray I can communicate a portion of the blessing we receive from this wonderful book.
This psalm is a psalm answering the question “Who is the rightful Judge/Ruler of all the earth?” and the complaint concerning the unjust ruler comes from a prophet named David.
A generally accepted background to this psalm is rooted in the early days of David’s relationship with Saul, when Saul became mad (crazy), and sought out David’s life. It seems Saul gathered those of his inner circle and codified his intentions to seek and destroy David, a young man who had only served Saul in his court.
In the loss of his kingdom, Saul must have heard of David’s anointing, for he had eyes throughout the land. Given notice that he was destined to fall from power, Saul sought to frustrate the plan of God, and persecute the one who was rightfully the king.
During this persecution David wrote this psalm, and some think it may have been in the very cave of Adullum, where David was a hair breadth from being caught and hauled off.
David’s poetry is harsh in this passage, and as we live in a time of unjust rulers, there may be some out there who can relate to David’s frustration, anger and eventual release of joy.
But first, let us read David’s initial complaint.
Psalm 58
1 To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David. Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
2 No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.
Immediately, David describes the heart of the rulers, and their unjust ruling over men. His frustration over the corruption within the ruling class is brimming over. Some may think David is referring to spiritual powers when he mentions “gods”, but this passage is addressing the culpability of the men in leadership, making decisions.
His complaint rests in the fact that though the ruler has been granted power to exercise influence over his people, this power can be abused. This abuse is dependent on the nature of the ruler, his heart condition, his desire for either his own good or the good of the people. This difference can be justified easily if the heart of the ruler is not leaning on God constantly. David, as the one who is the target of a ruler who is not leaning on God, sees the extent to which a man without God can fall.
Does the ruler indeed decree what is right?
Indeed. The sarcasm is heavy, for in David’s very question the answer rests, for the very definition of right is being defined by the ruler.
Yes – the very definition of right is defined by the ruler. David understands the motivation of the ruler (his heart’s desire) will define the actions being classified as “right” by the ruler in power. A ruler with evil intent can justify gross sin as a righteous act.
David cuts to the heart of the problem by exposing the intention of the ruler chasing him. Verse 2 describes the source of this corruption.
In your hearts you devise wrongs.
The king has a goal, something born in his desires, and in his heart, he devises actions to bring to fruit his desires. Never mind that some (if not all) of the actions are selfish, sinful and destructive. It can easily be justified by the dark heart, claiming whatever actions he takes, it is for the greater good!
The ruler’s decisions that impact his people are highly dependent on the condition of his heart. Out of the self centered desires of his heart, evil actions flow while he smiles at his people, telling them of his good intentions, of his saving efforts for the future. Some difficult times may come, but it is for a glorious time ahead.
Difficult times do come from a ruler whose heart devises wrong, for out of this heart, David correctly describes the outcome.
Violence on the earth.
The Hebrew term for violence speaks of injustice, of both ethical and physical wrongdoing, of unrighteous gain, cruelty. The term is châmâç, transliterated as ḥāmās.
Saul wanted David out of the picture and he had the authority to put into action his desires and devices. He was granted authority and abused it. Of course we know the mercy and goodness of God in the outcome, but in the meantime, David is experiencing the blunt force power of an evil heart in a jealous ruler.
Violence is what flows from an evil heart, and we must consider it for our own lives, for we all influence others, and though our authority may be small, the heart is still the issue.
We must be those who seek the heart of God, for out of His heart true righteousness flows. His heart is the very definition of “right” for it cannot be otherwise. Anyone who devices “right” apart from God, is fooling himself and will cause violence in their circle of influence.
As a judge/ruler, we shall see that Saul fails miserably, along with all those who sought to follow his plans. The power granted to him was abused, and God through His mysterious will, allowed it for a period, for training of a man of God, and for our instruction.
We also have rulers with evil intent. Let us not forget David’s actions when faced with unjust persecution. If persecution comes, remember the heart of God, the One whose heart was pierced so that we may be forgiven of our evil desires, actions and violence.
He is good.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.
Considering the Bible 