Psalms 58:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist challenges leaders who claim to speak righteousness while secretly judging unjustly.
The Context of Psalms 58:1
A lament about corrupt leadership and the psalmist's appeal to God for justice.
What Does Psalms 58:1 Mean?
The psalm opens by questioning those in authority. The phrase 'congregation' refers to the assembly of men, likely judges or leaders. The double question emphasizes the gap between what they claim to do and what they actually do.
The rhetorical force exposes hypocrisy: these leaders speak of righteousness publicly but fail to judge uprightly. Righteousness and just judgment go together; where judgment is corrupt, so is the claim to righteousness.
Psalms 58:1 in the Original Language
'Righteousness' (Hebrew: tsedaqah, צְדָקָה) often paired with 'judgment'; it means both moral rightness and just decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 58:1
What does Psalms 58:1 mean?
The psalmist challenges leaders who claim to speak righteousness while secretly judging unjustly.
What is the context of Psalms 58:1?
A lament about corrupt leadership and the psalmist's appeal to God for justice.