Psalms 58

Ver. 1. Do ye indeed speak &c.] O ye assembly of princes and rulers, have you pronounced a righteous sentence against me, and judged me uprightly according to your consciences? Bp. Patrick, Travell.

Psalms 58:3

3. The wicked are estranged &c.] Such is their wickedness, that they were depraved from the very womb; going astray as soon as they could go; and telling lies as soon as they could speak. Travell.

Psalms 58:4

4, 5. — like the deaf adder &c.] Allusion is here made to that sort of serpents, which, according to some naturalists, were able to make themselves deaf, in order to resist the effect of charms employed for the purpose of lulling them asleep and taking them. The meaning is, These incorrigible persons resolve never to hearken to any thing which may induce them to quit their evil ways. Dr. Hammond. The notion of charming serpents with certain sounds, or by uttering particular words, was formerly extremely general, and still prevails over many parts of Barbary. Dr. Shaw.

Psalms 58:7

7. Let them melt &c.] Let them fall away one from the other till they come to nothing, as waters, which not being contained within any vessel or bank, run continually, and spread themselves further and further,