Psalm 58 - When My Heart Cries for Justice

Summer in the Psalms

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As we continue to walk through these Psalms together, we see God is not afraid of our questions or our emotions. Yet, what is so beautiful about the Psalms is as we pray these and reflect on these in relation to the circumstances we are walking through, we are reminded and even more - divinely guided - not to stay in the pool of emotion but to remember God's goodness and His character through it.

Today, my friend, Traci Shnider, is sharing her reflection of Psalm 58 with us and helping us find immense comfort in our God who is just and promises justice - that evil has not won, good and Love have the final word.

Traci Shnider is a passionate encourager, sharing hope and inspiration drawn from her journey of faith and resilience in the face of adversity. Her mission is to help others experience true freedom by deeply rooting their lives in Jesus, growing in His grace, and blooming into their God-given purpose. As a motivational speaker, Traci inspires women at Christian conferences and events, empowering them to walk boldly in faith. She is an author who recently published her 40-day devotional book, Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God’s Best and she’s been featured in Renew Your Mind: 40

Days to Quiet the Lies Inside Your Head through Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Traci is married to Eric, and together they have one adult son, and a quirky little terrier. In her downtime, she loves collecting seashells, painting, and unwinding with a good book on the breathtaking North Carolina coast she’s blessed to call home. You can connect with Traci and read more of her work on her website: tracishnider.com, on Facebook: @Traci Shnider- Writer and Instagram @traci_shnider.

I initially thought it was a prank call as my husband's co-worker loved to joke around. But the persistent officer on the line kept assuring me,“Ma'am, your husband has been arrested. This is not a joke.”

Unbeknownst to us, a warrant had been issued for writing a bad check at a major retailer—a check he never wrote. When I arrived to bail him out, I discovered two shocking truths: my

husband's identity had been stolen, and so had his innocence.

Apparently, a young man had obtained my husband's personal information, created a driver's license in his name, and then used it to open a checking account. Loans had been taken out at various places, and my husband's credit was wrecked.

The justice system dismissed my husband's pleas to right this wrong, calling identity theft a “low priority.” The real thief walked away free while my husband faced court and hired an attorney to expunge his record for a crime he didn't commit. The unfairness hit hard.

Injustice is everywhere—leaders deceive, power is abused, selfish agendas prevail, and compassion seems lost. We see it not only in the justice system but also in our workplaces, schools, and, sadly, the Church. Yet, its sting feels deepest when it becomes personal.

When injustice strikes, our defenses rise as we wrestle with the question, Why does evil seem to always win? When justice feels out of reach, discouragement quickly cultivates the soil of our hearts, allowing bitterness to take root.

While Psalm 58 isn't a psalm we typically turn to for comfort, it's one we can cling to when our hearts cry out for justice. As an imprecatory psalm, it calls for God's judgment on wickedness, reminding us that evil will not go unpunished forever. At first glance, this Psalm seems harsh and extreme. David approaches God boldly and doesn't hold back, comparing corrupt leaders to venomous snakes who knowingly ignore fair justice. Psalm 58:4-5 (NLT) says,

They spit venom like deadly snakes; they are like cobras that refuse to listen, ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers, no matter how skillfully they play. - Psalm 58:4-5 (NLT)

In his passionate cry for justice, David uses strong language and vivid imagery to outline exactly how he wants God to deal with these wicked rulers.

Psalm 58:6-8 (NLT) says,

Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord! May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands. May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun. - Psalm 58:6-8 (NLT)

So, what can we learn from this Psalm? Like David, we can boldly admit our outrage and frustration to God, knowing He welcomes our raw emotions. We don't have to hold back—we can trust Him with our deepest cries for justice.

The core of this Psalm teaches complete surrender to the One who sees our injustices. It promises a confident hope that the sands of the hourglass will run out one day as He avenges and brings judgment on the evil of this world in His perfect timing. And while we may not see justice for everything on this side of heaven, one day the saints will rejoice as David reminds us in verse 11:

Then at last everyone will say, ‘There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.’ - Psalm 58:11 (NLT)

If injustice surrounds you and God feels distant, take heart. He sees you, knows your pain, and loves justice—it is the very rhythm of His heart.

Now, It's Your Turn!

I challenge you to take a moment to pray, then read or listen to Psalm 58 today. Think about what stands out to you. Consider writing down a statement of faith. It may help to think of this as an I-statement. Maybe yours is similar to Traci's:

When injustice surrounds me and God feels distant, I will take heart and remember God sees me, knows my pain, and loves justice—it is the very rhythm of His heart.

Then, jot down a question to think about today. Maybe yours is similar to Traci's:

With what circumstance do I need to trust God with my raw emotions and deepest cries for justice?

May this reflection lead our hearts to gratitude and praise today and may we stand in victory against the tactics and schemes of the enemy.

And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.

Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.