Psalm 58

A song of David speaking against the wicked rulers, or judges.

The word translated 'gods' in the ESV is also translated 'silent ones', or 'mighty lords'.

David asks,"Do you speak truth?  Do you judge rightly?"

No!  Instead there is deceit and violence.  David notes that we are all sinful from birth (reference Psalm 51, where he claims this of himself also).  The wicked never hear God's voice because they stop up their ears and turn away.  The wicked judges are like poisonous snakes, with no restraints.
I think of Jesus' words to the wicked religious rulers of His day....."You brood of vipers!"

Their misleading of the people stirs a righteous anger in David--a strong reaction against anything opposite God's Truth.

Indeed he prays violence upon them!  "Break their teeth!".  Make them lame and unable to do damage!  May they 'vanish' like water that runs down the stream. Or like a snail that leaves a slimy path as he goes, dissolving slowly.  Or like a stillborn child who never sees the sun.

God's judgement upon them will be swift when it comes, and will be sure.  The swiftness of His judgement is likened to a pot set to boil with thorns as fuel for the fire.  Thorns are swift burning, and quick to heat the pot.....Judgement will be quicker than that.   Before the pot can get hot, God's judgement will come!

The righteous will rejoice to see God's judgement on the wicked.  All earth will recognize that He does indeed reward the right, and judge the earth.

Of note......I have been thinking about the 'imprecatory' nature of some parts of the Psalms.  The song writer is praying for harm to come to the enemy.  Sometimes in very graphic and harsh terms!  This seems wrong.  But.....I think the difference lies in the motive for praying this way.   Is it born out of a very fleshly and sinful desire for harm to come to someone?  Out of vengeance in our own hearts?  or bitterness?  or just sheer anger?      Or is it born of the knowledge that our God is Truth, and righteousness, and because we love Him, we cannot stand to see Him mocked, mistreated, etc. Is our desire for judgement on the enemies for our benefit, to satisfy a sinful desire in our hearts, or is it for His  benefit?    Even, however, praying this kind of prayer, we see that He is sovereign, He will care for His own, and judge the earth.       I think before we pray this way, we need to weigh our motives.

Today, still, we have so many religious leaders who mislead the Church.  God's Word has some harsh things to say about these.      Oh Father, help us to know your Word, and to recognize untruth when we see it.