1. The marks of crooked judges 58:1-5

58:1 The psalmist introduced his condemnation of certain unjust judges with two questions. He questioned the integrity of these men.

The Hebrew word elohim(lit. strong ones) sometimes refers to rulers in the Old Testament. Of course it usually refers to God, the strongest of all beings. Sometimes it refers to false gods, idols. Here as elsewhere powerful human beings are in view. The context suggests they were judges in Israel.

58:2-5 Here David answered his own questions. Instead of practicing justice these rulers planned injustice and violence (cf. Mic. 3:1-3, 9-11; 6:12). They spoke lies and did not respond to the warnings of others. Furthermore they had a long history of destructive behavior.