Psalms 58
1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
For the music director. According to “Do Not Destroy.” A psalm (miktam) of David. You leaders, do you really say what is right? Do you judge people fairly?
2 No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
No, for in your minds you plan evil. You cause violence everywhere!
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.
The wicked are sinners from birth; from the moment they're born they tell lies.
4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,
They have venom like that of a poisonous snake, and just like a cobra they stop listening,
5 refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell.
refusing to hear the voice of the snake charmers or the spellbinders.
6 O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.
God, break their teeth, and smash the jaws of these lions, Lord.
7 May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted.
May they vanish like water that flows away; when they shoot their arrows may they miss their mark.
8 Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun.
May they be like the slime of snails that dissolves away, like a stillborn child that never saw the light of day.
9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns— whether green or dry— He will sweep them away.
Before the cooking pot is hot from burning thorns, whether fresh or dry, God will blow them away.
10 The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
Those who live right will be happy when they see there is punishment; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”
They will say, “There is definitely a reward for those who live right; there is certainly a God who judges fairly on earth.”
