1 To the chiefe musician Al-taschith, Michtam of Dauid. Doe yee indeed speake righteousnesse, O congregation? doe ye iudge vprightly, O ye sonnes of men?
2 Yea, in heart you worke wickednesse; you waigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the wombe, they goe astray as soone as they be borne, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poyson of a serpent; they are like the deafe adder that stoppeth her eare:
5 Which will not hearken to the voyce of charmers, charming neuer so wisely.
6 Breake their teeth, O God, in their mouth: breake out the great teeth of the young lyons, O Lord.
7 Let them melt away as waters, which runne continually: When he bendeth his bow to shoote his arrowes, let them be as cut in pieces.
8 As a snaile which melteth, let euery one of them passe away: like the vntimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sunne.
9 Before your pots can feele the thornes, he shall take them away as with a whirlewind, both liuing, and in his wrath.
10 The righteous shall reioyce when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feete in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Uerily there is a reward for the righteous: verily hee is a God that iudgeth in the earth.
Wicked judges described and reproved. (1-5) A prayer that they may be disabled, and their ruin predicted. (6-11)
1-5 When wrong is done under the form of law, it is worse than any other; especially it is grievous to behold those who profess to be children of God, joining together against any of his people. We should thank the Lord for merciful restraints; we should be more earnest in seeking renewing grace, more watchful over ourselves, and more patient under the effects of fallen nature in others. The corruption of their nature was the root of bitterness. We may see in children the wickedness of the world beginning. They go astray from God and their duty as soon as possibly they can. And how soon will little children tell lies! It is our duty to take pains to teach them, and above all, earnestly to pray for converting grace to make our children new creatures. Though the poison be within, much of it may be kept from breaking forth to injure others. When the Saviour's words are duly regarded, the serpent becomes harmless. But those who refuse to hear heavenly wisdom, must perish miserably, for ever.
6-11 David prayed that the enemies of God's church and people might be disabled to do further mischief. We may, in faith, pray against the designs of the enemies of the church. He foretells their ruin. And who knows the power of God's anger? The victories of the Just One, in his own person and that of his servants, over the enemies of man's salvation, produce a joy which springs not from revenge, but from a view of the Divine mercy, justice, and truth, shown in the redemption of the elect, the punishment of the ungodly, and the fulfilment of the promises. Whoever duly considers these things, will diligently seek the reward of righteousness, and adore the Providence which orders all thing aright in heaven and in earth.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.