Bible Strands
Psalms 58:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses earthly rulers and all humanity, questioning their moral integrity before detailing their corrupt practices. The psalm is marked as a Miktam set to the tune “Do Not Destroy” for the choirmaster.
The words — The Hebrew אֻמְנָם (ʾumnam) translates to “indeed” or “really,” framing the rhetorical question. It pairs with צֶדֶק (ṣedeq, “righteousness”) and מֵישָׁרִים (mešārîm, “uprightness”) to highlight the expected standard of judicial conduct.
The thread — This theme of leaders failing to judge justly echoes in Psalms 57:1’s plea for mercy under persecution, Isaiah 11:3’s description of the Messiah’s impartial judgment, and Deuteronomy 16:18’s command to appoint officials who uphold justice.
Why it lands — The verse demands readers examine whether their own authority or influence aligns with stated standards of fairness. It requires a direct confrontation with personal or systemic hypocrisy before any claim to moral authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To the chief Musician, Al–taschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
Cross-references
- Psalms 57:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
- Isaiah 11:3 And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear,
- Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.
- Psalms 72:1 Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.
- Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.
- 2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
- 2 Chronicles 19:6 Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.
- Psalms 82:1 A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:
- Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land.
- Numbers 11:16 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you.