Psalm 58:3

Context

The superscription of Psalm 58 attributes the psalm to David. The psalmist charges that those who ought to speak righteousness and judge uprightly, namely those who judge and rule, instead devise wickedness in their hearts and commit violence with their hands (vv. 1–2). Verse 3 continues this indictment, tracing the wickedness of the wicked back to its roots with the expressions "from the womb" and "as soon as they be born." In verses 4–5 the wicked are likened to a deaf adder that stops its ear and will not hearken to the voice of the charmer, and in verses 6–9 the psalmist asks God to break them. The psalm closes with the confession, "Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth" (v. 11). Because it calls for God's judgment upon enemies, the psalm is commonly classified as an imprecatory psalm.

The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as verse 1, so verse 3 in English Bibles is verse 4 in the Hebrew text.

Interpretation

• As a basis for the doctrine of original sin: The Reformed tradition, including Calvinism, frequently cites this verse, together with Psalm 51:5 and Job 14:4, in support of the doctrine of original sin, which holds that human beings possess a sinful nature from birth. Original sin refers to the sinful condition that all people have inherited since Adam's transgression.
• As a description of particular wicked individuals: Because the psalm contrasts "the wicked" with "the righteous" (v. 10), some commentators hold that verse 3 describes not humanity as a whole but the hardened character of the unjust judges. On this reading, "from the womb" is a poetic expression emphasizing how deeply rooted their wickedness is.
• A view combining both readings: Many interpreters hold that the verse is directed primarily at particular wicked individuals but presupposes a sinful nature common to all people.

Debates and Issues

Because the major Protestant denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, and Baptist churches, generally affirm original sin, there is no significant interdenominational conflict over the meaning of this verse. The Methodist and Holiness traditions, however, which follow Wesleyan theology, also emphasize the prevenient grace that God extends beforehand even to fallen humanity. In controversies with Pelagianism, which denied original sin, verses such as this one have been adduced as biblical evidence concerning human nature.

The interpretive debate centers chiefly on how directly the language of poetry can be converted into doctrinal propositions. Some also point out that citing this verse in isolation as evidence for the sinfulness of infants or young children takes it out of context. In addition, the meaning of the Hebrew word in verse 1 that identifies whom the psalmist is addressing is uncertain, so translations variously render it as referring to people in general or to rulers or judges.

Related Passages

• Psalm 51:5
• Job 14:4
• Romans 3:10–12
• Ephesians 2:1–3
• Psalm 58:11