Psalms 58:1 - Exposition

Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation! The rendering of elem ( אֵלֶם ) by "congregation" is contrary to all analogy, and quite untenable. It must either mean "dumb ones," or be a corruption of elim ( אֵלִים )—"mighty ones" (comp. Psalms 29:1 ). In either case it is an epithet applied to the judges of the people, and not to the congregation. Do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Both questions are asked in bitter irony, as is clear from the context.