Speaking of Righteousness - Psalms 58:1

Psalms chapter fifty eight begins with the heading, “[[To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David.]]” which breaks down, “to the chief Musician” or “to the preeminent, overseeing superintendent or chief choir director”, “Altaschith” which means “do not destroy and was a command to the chief musician or perhaps the title of a melody used for several Psalms”, “Michtam” or “a technical term found in Psalm titles which implies an engraving or poem” “of David” which means “belonging to David whose name means blessed and was the second king of Israel”, and in chapter fifty-eight and verse one of Psalms David asked, “Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?”, where we read,

Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men?

The verse begins, “Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation?” David began with the words, “Do you indeed” or “do you, rulers of the people of Israel, verily and truly” “speak righteousness” which means “utter, declare and proclaim rightness, justice and covenant keeping”, “O congregation” or “O silent rulers of the people”? David asked whether the people who were the rulers of the people actually declared just and right ways.

The verse goes on to say, “do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men?” David continued with the words, “do you judge” or “do you, congregation of rulers, govern, vindicate and punish” “uprightly” which means “with evenness, straightness and equity”, “O you sons of men” or “O you offspring and progeny belonging to male human beings”? David also asked whether the offspring of the rulers of the people governed them with straightness and equity.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how David questioned whether the rulers of the people governed over them in a righteous manner. David observed the “judges” and their behavior, and because they were violating the law of God, they were abusing their positions. Paul the apostle wrote, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (See Romans 13:1), and they are required to govern over people in a righteous manner. They, like all of us, shall give an account of their positions, and because people tend to be unrighteous, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we submit to Him, we will be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with the ability to govern over any position of authority Jehovah God brings into our lives.

Next time David says, “in heart you work wickedness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".