What does Psalm 58:11 mean?
This is an "imprecatory" psalm, which prays for God to take harsh revenge on wicked people. In this case, the wicked ones are judges and other leaders whom David sees spreading lies and violence (Psalm 58:1–2). They deliberately ignore God's will (Psalm 58:3–5) so David makes an emotional appeal for the Lord to bring graphic, gruesome punishment to the evil ones (Psalm 58:6–9). He does not plan to do this himself—the request is for God to act. David expects to see the Lord's people celebrate when they see His judgment (Psalm 58:10).David's other assumption is that divine vengeance will inspire mankind to confess that there is a God who rightly judges, rewards, and punishes. The judgment mentioned in this passage is aimed at corrupt rulers and judges of Israel during David's era. Yet someday, God will judge all the wicked. Today, when injustice occurs, people may ask, "Where is God?" but no one will raise that question when He judges the wicked decisively, openly, and conclusively. Acts 17:31 promises that God "has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." That day of judgment awaits the time all the dead unbelievers, small and great, stand before the Great White Throne. Everyone whose name is not written in the book of life will be consigned to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11–15).
