What does Psalm 58:1 mean?

David begins this short psalm with a question: whether a particular group of human judges was applying justice correctly. He uses an obscure Hebrew word which, depending on how it is pronounced, can make this phrase refer either to silence or to human nobility. Those are drastically different concepts, but either option works for his essential point. The first interpretation suggests David sarcastically asking if these men can say nothing in the face of injustice and call it good judgment. The second translation would be David calling out the judges as self-important among the world of men.

The question will be answered immediately (Psalm 58:2). These men are immoral and harmful to others (Psalm 58:3–5). For that reason, David will pray for them to fall under the Lord's judgment (Psalm 58:6–9).

At the time David is thought to have written this psalm, Saul was Israel's king. Moral and spiritual decline in the land were significant. The rulers and judges did not care about the people they were supposed to protect. Instead, they cared only for themselves and acted out of their desire to get rich. Likely, the men who joined David in exile had suffered loss at the hands of unscrupulous rulers and judges. First Samuel 22:2 describes them as being in distress or in debt. In that way, Israel under King Saul was headed towards the example of Israel in the times of the judges, when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

As with psalms 57, 59, and 75, this passage is probably meant to be sung as lyrics to a tune known as "Do Not Destroy." It is also referred to as a "miktam," likely a style of song. The "chief musician" or "choirmaster" would have been the person who led group worship sessions. Because of David's vivid prayers for punishment against evil, this is considered one of the "imprecatory" psalms.