Psalm 58

Have you ever felt like "8 a slug melting away"?

The Psalmist has.

His complaint is against the "1 rulers of the earth." Too often, they are "4 cobra[s]" who "2 mete out violence on the earth." They have the "6 fangs of the lions" and "the venom of a snake." Worst of all, they "1 judge."

Most of us don't like that word "judgment." We want to justify ourselves, declaring our own actions just based on our own revolving standards.

The alternative is unpleasant. Someone else gets to judge. In this case, a "8 slug" called a "4 cobra," a "1 ruler[]" with "4 venom." And it doesn't matter if you play "5 the tune of the charmer," this "1 judge" is too mercurial to predict. You may wish them to "7 vanish like water that flows away," but they're judgment is much more likely to flush you.

Yes, most of us don't like that word "judgment," and generally we don't like to think of God as a judge, but when we finally compare the unchangeable God to unpredictable rulers, suddenly judgment is a little more hopeful! That's the final sentiment in today's Psalm. After lamenting his earthly judges, can't you hear the hope as the Psalmist cries, "surely there is a God who judges the earth"! "5 However skillful the enchanter may be," even "5 the tune of the charmer" is not a predictable way to influence the unpredictable. But God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and we can confidently hope that in him "11 the righteous [will be] rewarded."

We should actually be thankful for this judge. Sin surely displeases him. But it displeases him enough that he had to come down from heaven to conquer it on a cross. The Good News, therefore, is that our gracious and merciful Lord does come down from heaven not only to judge but to save.

Thank you, Lord, for being my judge.
Rather than having to justify myself,
you lift me out of my brokeness
and save me from my sins.
Today I confess to you ...
Thank you for forgiving me.