Praying Through: Psalm 58
The Psalm
Psalm 58 (CSB)
For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David.1 Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones? Do you judge people fairly?
2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts; with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.
3 The wicked go astray from the womb; liars wander about from birth.
4 They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,
5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers who skillfully weave spells.
6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths; LORD, tear out the young lions’ fangs.
7 May they vanish like water that flows by; may they aim their blunted arrows.
8 Like a slug that moves along in slime, like a woman’s miscarried child, may they not see the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns— whether green or burning— he will sweep them away.
10 The righteous one will rejoice when he sees the retribution; he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then people will say, “Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth!”
The Prayer
No matter what has happened to me For I have been molested raped left to starve kidnapped Held for hostage Homeless Loveless Orphan Lost Divorced Twice Lost my kids Lost my jobs Lost my friends And my homes.
I am sinner filled with lust worked in porn stolen cheated lied lazy full of rage Filled with wrath Filled with pride Hater of everyone Hater of women Hater of self.
Yet, I am not those things. Because you saw me Before time began And you loved me And you set your affections Upon me And because you sent your Son Who lived for me Who bled, hung, and died for me Who ascended to your right hand for me Who sent His Spirit for me.
You are my identity. I identified with you.
Nothing I have done Or anything that has happened to me Not my circumstances Nor my deeds just you My Lord and my King.
Amen.