Psalm 58

“Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short” (v7).  Using imagery that is shocking to our modern ears, the psalmist begs God to punish those who “devise injustice” and “mete out violence” (v2).  Our enemies might be visible, or, as Ephesians 6 says, “spiritual forces of wickedness”; in either case, we can ask God to protect us and let the dangerous arrows heading our way “fall short.”  Those who pursue wickedness will eventually fall into the hands of a just God.

“Surely there is a God who judges the earth” (v11).  God is both our protector from evil and the judge who will make all things right in the end.