Why do the Psalms teach an attitude of distrust and caution toward rulers? When God placed man in the garden, he was capable to rule himself. God bestowed each man the gift of ruling over the earth. Man was capable to rule without being constrained by God. The Bible under-girds free will. Gods established the law as the foundation of ideal unity. The practice of the law achieved the increase of the glory of man. This is why the law does not measure the noble quality of the action but pronouncing of paternal blessing to those who faithfully keep it. Simultaneously it pronounces an eternal curse upon those who breach it. But do not believe the law provides two purposes. It does not pronounce destruction to prevent the good that God has produced. Rather the curses prevent further destruction. The law is Gods appropriate  instrument of a sovereign prevention. Gods judgement separates the wicked from the righteous to end the war and punish the guilty. The curse of the law in the ultimate sense is wars. God provided nations the moral responsibility to exercise the eternal curse in declaring a legal war. The legal war destroys the wicked opposition.

 But man was opposed in the garden by the most beautiful and formidable fallen angel. The devil tempted man by an evil curse. Man had never been opposed by violence. The first temptation by the devil was violent. The devil cursed mans blessed relationship to God and the earth. The Psalmist is teaching the devil became the prince of the air by a violent attack. What was the first act of violence? It was twisting Gods word. The Devil was the first ruler who unlawful exercised his authority. Its like the exercise of authority between an adult and a child. The adult explains the conditions of the conduct to persuade the child to comply. God does not exercise His authority in this distinctive way toward His creation. Gods word is self-attesting it is not an interaction of violence. The Psalmist is teaching that resisting temptation is not really giving in because of the pleasure. We are opposed with a violent attempt of an assault to our souls. This is why the Psalms are filled with curses.