David, reproving wicked judges, describeth the nature of the wicked, and devoteth them to God's judgments, whereat the righteous shall rejoice.
To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.
Title. תשׁחת אל al tashcheth.— Bishop Patrick observes, that the order of time, in placing this, the former, and the following psalms, is inverted; for the occasion of the 59th was first. Then, upon Saul's missing David, he supposes him to have called his council together; when they, to ingratiate themselves with the reigning prince, adjudged David to be guilty of treason in aspiring to the throne of Israel; which he thinks to have been the occasion of this psalm. And this was prior to what happened in the cave which gave occasion to the last psalm.
Psalms 58:1. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, &c.— Truth.—O congregation, that is, "Ye courtiers assembled in council." Ye sons of men, signifies, "Ye rulers of the people." See Psalms 8:4.