I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 52-59.

    When I write these commentaries on the passage I have read for the day, I try to find a theme. That is often difficult in the Psalms because each psalm is, more or less, an independent work of literature. The theme of today’s psalms is seeking God’s protection. The first two psalms might appear to not be about that, but indirectly they are. The first psalm addresses someone who is confident that his prowess in battle, political connections, and wealth will carry the day. The psalmist assures us that God will have the final say and that this individual will become a byword on relying on yourself rather than God. The second psalm continues that theme. Reminding us that it is foolish to believe that there is no God. We all sin, but the wicked think that they can get away with oppressing others, using lies and evil acts to satisfy their desires at the expense of others. They foolishly believe that God will not hold them to account (because they believe there is no God). The psalmist also tells us that, in part, the wicked believe that there is no God because they desire to do wicked things.

    The rest of today’s psalms, except for Psalm 58 (which I will get to presently), call on us to take the opposite approach. When trouble surrounds us, let us call on God for rescue. Let us call on God to protect us and avenge us against those who wrong us. We need not, even should not, count on our strength and ability to deal with trouble or those who attack us. Instead, we should strive to do good for everyone we encounter and count on God to protect us from their unwarranted attacks. People may twist our words and misconstrue our deeds, but God will see if those accusations are justified and protect us from those which are not. If we call out to God when trouble overwhelms us, He will hear our cry and come to our rescue.
    Which brings me to Psalm 58. Here the psalmist warns and condemns those rulers who do not implement justice. As a warning he tells them that God will implement justice if they do not. And, if God implements justice, those rulers who failed to do so will suffer. God will break their power and sweep them away.