Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
The wicked
The phrase "The wicked" refers to those who are morally corrupt and opposed to God's righteous standards. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "רְשָׁעִים" (resha'im), which denotes individuals who are guilty of sin and rebellion against God. This term is often used throughout the Psalms to describe those who live in opposition to God's will and who perpetuate injustice and evil. The use of "the wicked" here sets the stage for understanding the inherent nature of sinfulness that the psalmist is addressing.

are estranged
comes from the Hebrew root "זָרוּ" (zar), meaning to be alienated or separated. This word conveys a sense of being cut off or distant from a rightful relationship. In the context of this verse, it suggests that the wicked are inherently separated from God and His ways from the very beginning of their existence. This estrangement is not merely a result of external actions but is indicative of an internal, inherent condition.

from the womb
emphasizes the idea of original sin and the innate sinful nature of humanity. The Hebrew word "בֶּטֶן" (beten) refers to the womb, highlighting the earliest stage of human life. This phrase underscores the belief that sinfulness is not something acquired later in life but is present from birth. It reflects the theological understanding that all humans are born with a sinful nature due to the fall of Adam and Eve, as described in Genesis. This concept is foundational in conservative Christian theology, emphasizing the need for redemption and the transformative power of God's grace from the very start of life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Wicked
This term refers to those who live in opposition to God's laws and righteousness. In the context of this Psalm, it highlights individuals who are morally corrupt from an early age.

2. The Womb
Symbolically represents the beginning of life. The use of "from the womb" emphasizes the inherent nature of wickedness in humanity due to original sin.

3. Liars
Those who speak falsehoods and deceive others. This term underscores the moral failing of dishonesty that is present from birth.

4. Estranged
This term indicates a separation or alienation from God and His ways, suggesting a natural inclination towards sin.

5. Go Astray
This phrase implies a deviation from the path of righteousness, highlighting the active choice to pursue sin.
Teaching Points
Understanding Original Sin
Recognize that the concept of being estranged from the womb points to the doctrine of original sin, which affects all of humanity. This understanding should lead to humility and reliance on God's grace.

The Importance of Early Spiritual Guidance
Since wickedness is present from birth, it is crucial to provide children with strong spiritual foundations to guide them towards righteousness.

The Role of Truth in Christian Living
As liars go astray from birth, Christians are called to be people of truth, reflecting God's character in their words and actions.

The Need for Redemption
Acknowledge that estrangement from God due to sin necessitates redemption through Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God.

The Power of God's Transformative Grace
Despite the inherent sinfulness, God's grace is powerful enough to transform lives and lead individuals back to the path of righteousness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of original sin, as seen in Psalm 58:3, affect our understanding of human nature and the need for salvation?

2. In what ways can parents and guardians provide spiritual guidance to counteract the natural inclination towards sin in children?

3. How can Christians actively pursue truth in their daily lives to counteract the tendency to go astray?

4. What role does Jesus Christ play in reconciling us from our estrangement from God, as described in this Psalm?

5. How can we rely on God's grace to transform our inherent sinful nature and lead us towards a life of righteousness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 3:23
This verse supports the idea of universal sinfulness, stating that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Genesis 8:21
This passage reflects on the inherent evil in human hearts from youth, aligning with the concept of being estranged from the womb.

Proverbs 22:15
This verse speaks to the folly bound up in the heart of a child, which aligns with the idea of going astray from birth.

Ephesians 2:3
This scripture discusses the nature of humanity as children of wrath, by nature, which connects to the inherent wickedness mentioned in Psalm 58:3.
A Bold Protest Against Unrighteous JudgesC. Short Psalm 58:1-11
Faith in RighteousnessJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 58:1-11
Man in Many AspectsHomilistPsalm 58:1-11
The Perversion of JusticePlutarch.Psalm 58:1-11
Unjust JudgesW. Forsyth Psalm 58:1-11
People
David, Psalmist, Saul
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Astray, TRUE, Belly, Birth, Born, Err, Erred, Estranged, Evil-doers, Hour, Lies, Saying, Speak, Speakers, Speaking, Strange, Wayward, Wicked, Womb
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 58:3

     1436   reality
     5199   womb
     5652   babies
     5655   birth
     6021   sin, nature of
     6023   sin, universality
     6139   deadness, spiritual
     8741   failure

Library
Of Internal Acts
Of Internal Acts Acts are distinguished into External and Internal. External acts are those which bear relation to some sensible object, and are either morally good or evil, merely according to the nature of the principle from which they proceed. I intend here to speak only of Internal acts, those energies of the soul, by which it turns internally to some objects, and averts from others. If during my application to God I should form a will to change the nature of my act, I thereby withdraw myself
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

Epistle vi. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari).
To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Gregory to Januarius, &c. The Jews who have come hither from your city have complained to us that Peter, who has been brought by the will of God from their superstition to the worship of Christian faith, having taken with him certain disorderly persons, on the day after his baptism, that is on the Lord's day of the very Paschal festival, with grave scandal and without your consent, had taken possession of their synagogue in Caralis, and placed there the
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Faith the Sole Saving Act.
JOHN vi. 28, 29.--"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." In asking their question, the Jews intended to inquire of Christ what particular things they must do, before all others, in order to please God. The "works of God," as they denominate them, were not any and every duty, but those more special and important acts, by which the creature might secure
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
Both by nature and by grace, Augustin was formed to be the champion of truth in this controversy. Of a naturally philosophical temperament, he saw into the springs of life with a vividness of mental perception to which most men are strangers; and his own experiences in his long life of resistance to, and then of yielding to, the drawings of God's grace, gave him a clear apprehension of the great evangelic principle that God seeks men, not men God, such as no sophistry could cloud. However much his
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings

Moral Depravity.
VIII. Let us consider the proper method of accounting for the universal and total moral depravity of the unregenerate moral agents of our race. In the discussion of this subject, I will-- 1. Endeavor to show how it is not to be accounted for. In examining this part of the subject, it is necessary to have distinctly in view that which constitutes moral depravity. All the error that has existed upon this subject, has been founded in false assumptions in regard to the nature or essence of moral depravity.
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses.
James I. 18. James I. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. I INTEND the words which I have now been reading, only as an introduction to that address to the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, with which I am now to conclude these lectures; and therefore shall not enter into any critical discussion, either of them, or of the context. I hope God has made the series of these discourses, in some measure, useful to those
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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