What does Psalms 58:2 mean?
"Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth." - Psalms 58:2
Psalms 58:2 (KJV) states, "Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth." This verse is a part of Psalm 58, which is attributed to David. It is a lament of the corruption and injustice found in the world, particularly among those in positions of power. This particular verse addresses the hypocrisy and deceit of those who are outwardly righteous but inwardly wicked.
The meaning of this verse can be understood in several layers. It begins with the acknowledgment of the human heart as the source of wickedness. The heart, in biblical terms, often refers to the innermost being of a person - their thoughts, emotions, and intentions. Here, the psalmist is illustrating the inherent sinfulness of humanity and how it manifests in the actions and decisions people make.
The verse also speaks to the deliberate planning and execution of evil acts. The phrase "ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth" implies a careful consideration and calculation of the harm one inflicts on others. It highlights the intentionality behind immoral behavior and the deliberate choice to act in ways that harm and oppress others.
Another layer of meaning in this verse is the condemnation of injustice and violence. The psalmist is expressing anguish over the prevalence of wickedness and violence in the world. It reflects a deep concern for the suffering of the innocent and a desire for righteousness to prevail.
In a broader context, this verse can be seen as a critique of those in positions of power and authority. The psalmist is addressing leaders and rulers who abuse their power and oppress others for their own gain. It is a call for justice and a plea for God to intervene and set things right.
The symbolism in this verse is also profound. The heart is symbolic of the innermost being of a person, representing their character, desires, and motives. The violence of one's hands symbolizes the physical actions and behaviors that stem from a corrupt heart. The earth symbolizes the world and all its inhabitants, highlighting the pervasive nature of sin and injustice.
Thematically, this verse ties into the broader themes of justice, righteousness, and the consequences of sin. It underscores the inherent sinfulness of humanity and the need for divine intervention to rectify the injustices of the world. It also speaks to the tension between outward appearances and inward reality, emphasizing the importance of genuine righteousness and integrity.
Overall, Psalms 58:2 (KJV) is a poignant reflection on the wickedness and violence that plagues humanity. It is a reminder of the need for genuine righteousness and the longing for God's justice to prevail. The verse serves as a call to action for believers to stand against injustice and seek righteousness in their own lives and in the world around them.
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Psalms 58:2 - "Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth."
"Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth." - Psalms 58:2
Psalms 58:4 - "Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;"
Psalms 58:5 - "Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely."
Psalms 58:11 - "So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth."
"So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth." - Psalms 58:11
"Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;" - Psalms 58:4
Psalms 58:6 - "Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD."
Psalms 78:58 - "For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images."
Psalms 58:3 - "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies."
"The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies." - Psalms 58:3
Psalms 58:10 - "The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked."
Psalms 119:58 - "I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word."
Psalms 58:1 - "Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?"
Psalms 58:8 - "As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun."
Psalms 58:9 - "Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath."
"The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked." - Psalms 58:10
"As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun." - Psalms 58:8
Psalms 81:2 - "Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery."
"Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely." - Psalms 58:5
Psalms 58:7 - "Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces."
"For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images." - Psalms 78:58
"Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD." - Psalms 58:6
"Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?" - Psalms 58:1
"I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word." - Psalms 119:58
Psalms 64:2 - "Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:"
Psalms 115:2 - "Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?"
"Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery." - Psalms 81:2
Ezra 2:58 - "All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two."
"Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath." - Psalms 58:9