October 4, 2009 pm
“Break Their Teeth”
Psalm 58
Tonight we continue
our study of the psalms. We
have here another psalm of David.
The occasion is not given, but some apply it to Saul as he was
advised by Abner in defeating David early in his life (1 Samuel 26).
Another considers it as when David begins his reign and is
confronted with the corruption of judges and rulers who followed King
Saul throughout the land.
They were wicked in their doings and thus defiling God’s nation.
If such be the case, David’s indignation and harshness is just .
It was assigned to
“the Chief Musician” and “set to ‘Do not destroy’, the same as the
previous psalm.
Among the
imprecatory psalms, this is one of the strongest and bluntest.
It can hardly be compared to the response of a Christian today,
but in Old Testament times when Judgment, even from God, was often swift
and strong, it is understood.
HOWEVER, note that even with these harsh words, he puts judgment
in the Lord’s hands.
FURTHER, consider that David is dealing with evil and those seeking to
set aside God’s plans. So
while his words are strong, his desire is that God’s will prevail.
NOTE: We should desire the same thing (defeat of the wicked), but
we probably should not use such strong language.
a.
Vs. 1 –
this verse exposes the lies of David’s enemies on this occasion.
Two questions are asked with the answer being obvious (and given
in vs. 2).
The NKJV asks, “Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones?”
The ASV says, “Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods?”
The exact meaning is called into question, but the result is the same –
these men are NOT what they claim to be AND their conduct is very
corrupt. IF it be judges and
leaders – their silence indicates consent of wickedness (cf. Romans
1:32) AND they are in a position to act as judgments of justice, but
they fail! (NOTE: Consider
this in light of John 10:34 where Jesus is again being condemned by the
Jews for claiming to be the son of God and He challenges them noting
that JUDGES are called gods [Psalm 82:6] which in a sense they sit as
gods over the people and determine their fate.)
b.
Vs. 2-
Their hearts are bent on wickedness. They “weigh out” their violence –
meaning they have measured it (i.e. it is NOT an accident, but
deliberate).
I am reminded of the sufferings our Lord endured at the hands of His
enemies. Early on He
identified their problems as being from the heart –
Matt. 15:16-18 as He
explained their rejection and God’s rejection.
I am also reminded of the conspiring they went through to remove
Jesus.
Lesson: Don’t “think it
strange” when we face such things (1 Peter 4:12, John 15:18)
c.
Vs. 3- 5 –
The wicked described
i.
Estranged from the womb
and speak lies from the day they are born.
Is this verse an advocate of total hereditary depravity (inheriting
Adam’s sin)? If so, then man
(i.e. an undiscerning child) does NOT have full control over his
destiny. That is contrary to all that the Bible teaches.
Ezekiel 18:4, 20 notes that it is the soul who sins that will
die. Inheriting Adam’s sin
means that the most innocent will face harsh torments through no fault
of their own (i.e. when a baby or young child dies).
This violates God’s impartiality and His goodness.
David’s point: The
ways of these men is one of total wickedness.
They have SO given themselves
over to evil, that it is AS IF they were born that way.
(Ever hear someone not take responsibility for their evil conduct
saying, “I can’t help it.
That’s the way I was born”?) These ARE the ungodly.
There are multitudes of passages
that describe those who reject God and His people.
ii.
They speak lies – the
choice weapon of one’s enemy, both to destroy and to justify (himself).
It is the identifying characteristic of the devil himself (John
8:44); it is the tool of false teachers (1 Tim. 4:2); Proverbs 14:5
says, “A false witness will utter lies.”
iii.
Their poison is like the venom of a serpent
or an uncontrollable Cobra.
We hear of snake charmers and their abilities with music to control a
snake. Perhaps that is
possible, but what if the serpent is deaf?
David’s point: These
men will NOT hear reason or anything.
They might as well be deaf!
There is another possibility to consider in this – a charm is often
equated to a hypnotic state.
It could be that the enemies of David have been charmed
(entranced and convinced) that their cause is just.
Consider the examples of
Romans 10:1-2 AND Acts 7:54-58, etc.
Have you ever noticed that many horrific crimes are committed while
“under the influence”?
iv.
It is
TRULY sad when you cannot reason with someone in anyway – whether a
friend or a brother in Christ. How
many problems could be solved if men would simply meet with an open
mind?
a.
Following
is a list of STRONG requests to severely disable OR destroy these
enemies. (Imprecatory)
i.
Break
their teeth out of their mouths (or fangs out of the mouth of young
lions)
ii.
Let them
be like water that rolls away (never to return) and is gone.
iii.
Let their
arrows be shattered in pieces (without successfully reaching their
target). May their weapons
and ways be thwarted.
iv.
Let them
be like a snail that shrivels up and dies in the heat.
v.
Let them
be like a still born child that never see life outside of the womb.
Works stopped before they start.
b.
ALL of
these describe a call for God to
totally stop these ungodly enemies and punish them for their evil
ways.
c.
Another lesson –
how great will the torments of
hell be? When sinful
man is eternally sentenced to that place he will face the full force of
the wrath of God (2
Thess. 1:6-9). It is
described as a place where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matt.
8:12), torments (Rev.
20:10, 14-15, 21:8), darkness (2
Pet. 2:4, Matt. 25:30) and eternal punishment (Matt. 25:41, 46).
No matter what man gets away with in this life – he WILL face God
in judgment (2
Cor. 5:10-11, John 5:28-29).
d.
NOTE:
While the request in these verses
is strong and harsh, realize that David is NOT engaged in vigilanteism
but rather puts this judgment in the hands of God.
He lets God who is the TRUE Judge and knows actions and hearts
take his course. What these
evil doers will receive is JUSTICE!
e.
Vs. 9 –
the faith that God WILL remove them QUICKLY.
The illustration is that of how quickly a pot feels the heat of a
fire. God’s actions, while
delayed to us, will be swift and final.
III.
The avenging of the righteous (10-11)
a.
The
righteous rejoice when they see this?
I ask WHY? Is it a
sense of “get evenness”? OR is it rejoicing that goodness has prevailed?
Romans 12:19-21. May
we NEVER wish evil on our enemies!
You treat your enemy properly (Matt. 5:44-45) in the hopes that
they will repent.
b.
He will
wash his feet in the blood of the wicked – a description of complete
defeat, as in a fierce battle where good has prevailed.
In the end, it is the meek who shall inherit the earth (Matt.
5:5).
c.
When done,
men will KNOW that God IS in charge.
The righteous will know it as they see reward.
Perhaps in this life, where they are avenged.
USUALLY, given enough time, the fruits of the wicked are exposed
and righteousness is vindicated.
But not always! In this
life, often the wicked get away with their evil schemes and even seem to
be winning. However, if the
righteous will endure they will reap their reward in the next life –
Gal. 6:9