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Psalm 58 - Surely there is a judge

Okay I skipped a lot. Been very inconsistent. Been terribly slow. Been stuck at the same Psalm since forever.

Gotta say it's a lot with the way I am. Impatient. Searching for new answers.

It's a struggle to read Psalms (which are grouped thematically) because sequential ones just sound the same over and over again.

But hey, here goes the next try to restart this. And I want to write them - because writing is where I understand.

Verses 1-5 deal with the condition of the authorities of men - the "gods" that David spites. He marks them as decreeing evil, of unjust judgement, of violence on earth. He labels them venomous and reviling for many reasons.

Verses 6 to 9 then talk about his prayer for God's judgement against these people. The imagery is also very strong - breaking their teeth, tearing out the fangs of the young lions, to be like stillborn children who never see the sun.

Finally verses 10 and 11 speak of the rejoicing that comes with the judgement for the righteous, and the admission from all mankind that surely there is a God that judges on earth.

So how does this all flow together?

My understanding of this passage is this - that at the present time, many will try to set themselves as judges over the world, or society. They will decree evil, and mete out unjust punishment. But the way that we shall tell the difference between the unjust and God's chosen judgement is shown in the finality of God's judgement. God's judgement is a fearsome one, that seems to put an end to all others - to the extent that mankind admits the existence of God who judges the earth.

So how does that apply to us?

I think we live through many forms of judgement and trials in our lives. The challenge is how to look beyond them, and to see how these things are just a foreshadowing of the true judgement that is to come - and that we can rejoice at the end. To show all of humanity the God who judges the earth - the glorious second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Seems a little generic, but I'll try to pin down closer to home applications for the next one I hope!
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