Psalms 58:11
So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Study Note
Study Note
The psalm's conclusion — 'mankind will say, Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth' — presents divine judgment as the event that validates the moral order before a watching human audience. Psalm 58 opens with an accusation against unjust judges (the divine council in some readings, human rulers in others) and progresses through intense imprecatory prayer for their downfall, climaxing in the affirmation that judgment will demonstrate both moral order and divine governance. The final verse moves from prayer to proclamation: the establishment of divine justice is a public epistemic event, not merely a private spiritual consolation. The psalm addresses the theodicy question not with a philosophical argument but with the assertion that God's character guarantees ultimate public vindication of the righteous and judgment of the wicked.
Other Translations
So that men shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: Verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.
And man saith: `Surely fruit <FI>is<Fi> for the righteous: Surely there is a God judging in the earth!'
So that men will say, Truly there is a reward for righteousness; truly there is a God who is judge on the earth.
Cross References
And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own …
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the …
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.