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Psalm 58:1
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David. Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?
1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David. Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?
2No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands on the earth.
3The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Notice
Two sharp questions challenge the righteousness of human judgment, and the next verse answers with an accusation of planned injustice and violence.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Where have you seen a claim to righteousness fail the test of fair judgment?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 57:1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for …Both psalms name David and share the tune “Do Not Destroy,” though one challenges injustice and the other seeks refuge.
Isaiah 11:3–5His delight will be in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears;Both passages concern judgment: David questions its righteousness, while Isaiah describes judgment free from dependence on appearances or hearsay.
Deuteronomy 16:18–19You shall make judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with …Deuteronomy requires righteous judgment from appointed judges, the same standard David's questions bring to bear on those judging others.
Psalm 72:1–4By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.Righteousness and justice shape both passages: David challenges human judgment, while Psalm 72 asks God to give the king justice.
Psalm 4:2You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah.Both address “sons of men” with searching questions, confronting unjust judgment in Psalm 58 and dishonor and falsehood in Psalm 4.
Jeremiah 23:5–6“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch; and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and …David questions whether people judge with righteousness; Jeremiah promises a king from David's line who will execute justice and righteousness.
Psalm 82:1–2A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.Judgment is the shared concern: Psalm 58 questions human judges, while Psalm 82 depicts God presiding and judging.
2 Chronicles 19:6–7and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you don’t judge for man, but for the LORD; and he is with you in the judgment.Both place weight on the work of judging; Chronicles states that judges act for the LORD.
Deuteronomy 1:15–16So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, …The connection is broad: Deuteronomy describes appointed leaders, while the psalm questions the conduct of those who judge.
2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,Righteousness is the standard for judging in the psalm and for ruling in the fear of God in Samuel.
2 Samuel 5:3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over …The clearest shared thread is David, named as the psalm's poet and anointed king over Israel at Hebron.
Luke 23:50–51Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous manRighteousness connects David's challenge about judgment with Luke's description of Joseph, a council member described as good and righteous.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. leadership weight.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The questions are sharp because justice matters. Scripture makes room for challenging those who judge, and human decisions remain subject to God's righteousness.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 58:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).