Psalm 58 was written by David during King Saul's reign. In it, David cries out to God out of deep pain and anger. He witnessed the rulers being corrupt and doing injustice to people. King Saul, at this time, was not following God because he didn't want to give up his throne even though God already disqualified him as the king of Israel. He wanted to kill David because he knew that God had already chosen David to replace him. Saul already killed priests and oppressed many people because of his selfish ambition. Saul became a dictator and sowed injustice in the land of Israel. David wrote, "Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands spread out violence on the earth (Psalm 58:1-2)." As we look around us today, many injustices are going on. Many people are suffering because of self-ambitions. The common people suffer because of the self-centeredness of the leaders. The corrupt leaders only take advantage of the people that they are supposed to serve.
David was tired of seeing all of the injustices, and he cried out to God to do something about it. He prayed, "Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord! May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands (Psalm 58:6-7)." David was expressing his pain and anger to God against the wicked leaders. But David remembered the justice that God would bring to the wicked. There will be a day when God will avenge all the innocent and destroy the wicked. David concluded Psalm 58 by saying, "Then at last everyone will say, 'There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth (Psalm 58:11).'" It seems that wickedness is winning today, but we need to remember that God is not silent of the suffering that is going on in this world. He is at work behind the scenes. His mission is the same until He comes back, and that is to lead people to the saving faith in the Lord Jesus. Only our Lord Jesus and the working of the Holy Spirit can change the hearts of people.
The hope of the suffering of innocent people is our Lord Jesus because He is the only Savior of this world. As believers, we must stand firm in our faith, pray for those who are suffering, and listen to God's direction on how to engage in this world's suffering. Let us not be driven by our emotions, but let us be driven by God's truth according to the Spirit of God and His Word.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How do I respond to the injustices of this world? Who is the answer to the injustices of this world? As a believer in my Lord Jesus, where should I base my response to the injustices of this world?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, so many people are suffering because of the injustice of wicked rulers. I pray for those wicked rulers to come to know you and be saved so that their hearts change. I pray for those who are suffering to come and believe in you as their Lord and Savior and lead them to safety. Please give me the right and godly perspective on all of the injustices that are going on in this world, and help me to respond according to your will. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.