Today’s Sermon: Psalm 58 & 59, “Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked / Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies” by pastor Jim Bomkamp

Background for Psalm 58 1. In the title block of this Psalm we see that it is one of only six Psalms that are called a “Mikhtam” of David. 2. The wicked who do not know the Lord are referred to in this Psalm as being people who are estranged from the womb and who speak lies even from birth. 3. King David prays a imprecator prayer upon his enemies asking that the Lord do one of five things to them. 4. Wycliff’s Bible Commentary:

Psalm 58:1-8, “1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods Psalm 58:1-8, “1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O gods? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? 2 No, in heart you work unrighteousness; On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands. 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth. 4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear, 5 So that it does not hear the voice of charmers, Or a skillful caster of spells. 6 O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord. 7 Let them flow away like water that runs off; When he aims his arrows, let them be as headless shafts. 8 Let them be as a snail which melts away as it goes along, Like the miscarriages of a woman which never see the sun.”

Psalm 58:9-11, “9 Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike. 10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on earth!””

Background for Psalm 59 1. King David asks for the Lord’s help because of the strength of his enemies, because He is his God, and because it is not because of his sin that his enemies are opposing him and seeking to kill him. 2. King David describes his enemies who are seeking to kill him as being like vicious wild dogs that come out at night and prowl around the city looking for food and howling. 3. The incident that inspired this Psalm: 1 Samuel 19:8-14 4. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: 5. King David makes us realize that God is our stronghold who protects us from our enemies, and also that God’s lovingkindness will also always be looking over us and watching out for our well being.

Psalm 59:1-8, “1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from those who do iniquity And save me from men of bloodshed. 3 For behold, they have set an ambush for my life; Fierce men launch an attack against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord, 4 For no guilt of mine, they run and set themselves against me. Arouse Yourself to help me, and see! 5 You, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity.Selah. 6 They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go around the city. 7 Behold, they belch forth with their mouth; Swords are in their lips, For, they say, “Who hears?” 8 But You, O Lord, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.”

Psalm 59:9-17, “9 Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my stronghold. 10 My God in His lovingkindness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes. 11 Do not slay them, or my people will forget; Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield. 12 On account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, Let them even be caught in their pride, And on account of curses and lies which they utter. 13 Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more; That men may know that God rules in Jacob To the ends of the earth.Selah. 14 They return at evening, they howl like a dog, And go around the city. 15 They wander about for food And growl if they are not satisfied. 16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.”