# 11 2019. Dev. Psalm 58:1 Injustice. Read all of Ps. 58 The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Ps. 58:1 “Do you rulers indeed speak justly?Do you judge people with equity?”
Psalm 58 is prayer for justice, for God to judge those responsible to bring justice to the people but do not judge with righteousness. The administration of a fair judiciary was a big concern in Israel and the near east, often it was not fair.
This Psalm is framed by a rhetorical question, v.1-2 and an assurance to the righteous, v.9-11. David asks the question “do you rulers indeed speak justly?” And answers it in the negative: “No… you devise injustice and mete out violence on the earth.” Injustice starts in the heart, is pondered in the mind and is executed by the hands; injustice involves one’s whole being. Vs.3-5 wickedness is from birth and we are all affected. Wickedness is subtle, like venom spreading through the body slowly. Wickedness is intentional, “has stopped its ears that will not heed.” Vs.6-8 is the heart of the prayer; disable the wicked O God. Let those who practice injustice “vanish like water that flows away, like a still born child that never sees the light of day”. Vs.9-11 the wicked will be “swept away” quickly, there will be rejoicing and a reconfirmation of God’s presence and care: “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”
We live in a country of laws, but our culture is changing, there is much injustice, discrimination on all levels and a disregard for the law. Social media and biased news facilitates convicting people before a trial, jeopardizing the presumption of innocence that is the norm under the law. Followers of Jesus, now more than ever, must practice justice and righteousness and pray daily for our country and our leaders.
God will reward the righteous; “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Ps. 103:6.
Praise be to God.
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