Psalm 58 (57):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But what are you engaged in at this moment? Why do I share this with you? It is because of the iniquities harbored in the heart that you act on earth. Are these iniquities merely a matter of the heart? Consider what follows: both your heart and hands are involved in the actions you conceive and carry out; or perhaps they remain undone, not due to a lack of desire, but because of inability. Whatever you aspired to but could not accomplish is counted by God. For with an iniquitous heart, you operate in this world. What comes next? Iniquity constrains your hands. What does it mean to be bound together? From sin arises sin, leading to further sin, due to sin. What is this? When a person commits theft, that is sin.

In your heart, you commit wickedness upon the earth. Although your words are noble and demonstrate your commitment to the Law, your heart harbors resentment, and similarly, your actions are tainted by wrongdoing.

The prophet declares that while you speak of peace, your hearts harbor malevolent intentions, filled with various forms of wicked thoughts. Thus, reflect on whether your actions truly align with your words. I have entrusted my discernment to you in vain, for you display no desire to uphold justice.

In this passage, David left out certain words that are implied: you are unable to judge with a just heart. This addition is necessary for the flow of thought. But why is righteous judgment beyond your reach? Because you harbor wickedness within yourselves, and your actions reflect this unrighteousness. He remarks that they craft, drawing a parallel to those who set a trap, which illustrates the myriad deceptions of their adversaries. Moreover, the phrase "on earth" hints that these deceptions occur in this realm, while in the depths of hell, they would be powerless. The commentary of Nyssa highlights that he discreetly categorized the sinful judgment made in secret as a deed; this indicates that the root cause of all sin lies in the dominion of evil.

After expressing his disapproval of the blatant wickedness displayed by Saul's fellow worshipers, he now confronts them directly, enumerating their transgressions and declaring that their hearts are set on injustice while their actions reflect this intent. However, he does not simply accuse them of committing wrongs with their hands; rather, he notes that their hands are intricately fabricating injustice. This choice of words highlights how these individuals wronged David under the guise of upholding justice, portraying him as a deceitful adversary to the king and a disruptor of societal peace. The phrase 'on earth' signifies a clear display of actions, as the Prophet unmistakably laments the unchecked freedom of his foes, who perpetrated their violence openly rather than in secrecy.

In this psalm, the Prophet, guided by the Holy Spirit, strongly admonishes his antagonists, particularly the wicked and the rebellious among the Jews. They futilely strive against the Lord Christ, who is devoid of malice. Their actions demonstrate a reckless attempt to tarnish the incorruptible and to erase His divine honor and glory, whose name endures eternally: King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16). Such disgrace is fitting for those unjust judges and rulers whose malicious decisions and sinful acts pervert the truth, unleashing a persecution akin to that suffered by Christ from the Jewish leaders (Athanasius). Christ is the Just One, the conqueror of death and hell. Those who attempt to absolve themselves by washing their hands, as Pilate did when he sought to declare himself innocent of Christ’s blood, remain stained by their actions.