Psalms 58:6-9 (ESV)
O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
Let them vanish like water that runs away;
when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,
like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
Have you ever wondered how to pray for those in authority who are corrupt and speak constantly in false narratives? Psalm 58 starts out with this opening verse:
Psalms 58:1-2 (ESV)
Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
your hands deal out violence on earth.
We don’t know who these “gods” are, but that term in scripture is typically used for human governance. In Psalm 82 we read a similar narrative but that song seems to be more “spirit” beings that harm mankind. Here we have “earthly” beings that harm mankind. Both Paul and Peter tell us how to regard those in authority over us:
1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV)
Submission to Authority
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Romans 13:1-2 (ESV)
Submission to the Authorities
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
But, in the above verses from Psalm 58 David gives us another whole way of praying over wicked leaders. None of what David writes is in contradiction of what Paul and Peter state. While they rule over us, wicked leaders are to be respected for the position God gave them. But, our prayers for them is that their counsel and treatment of mankind ought to be holy (for what God intended) and not for evil. And, if evil, David prayers that the power of their mouths will be torn out. He prays that they might vanish like water running into a hole and disappears. He prays that the aim of their words will be blunted. He prays that they will dissolve away and no longer be regarded. He prays this all would happen fast (as quickly as a pot heats up over fire).
This might seem cruel and unforgiving in nature. But, such is the evilness of man on the earth were rulers use their power for selfish gain and evil and corrupt treatment of other people. This is a prayer that is prayed by one of the best leaders in Israel’s history, King David. Yet, David himself used his power to take a life. David repented, however. So, this prayer is left for those who also take lives, but who remain unrepentant.
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