Psalms 58
1 Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title. If in very deed you speak justice: judge right things, ye 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 For in your heart you work iniquity: your hands forge injustice in the earth.
No, for in your minds you plan evil. You cause violence everywhere!
3 The wicked are alienated from the womb; they have gone astray from the womb: they have spoken false things.
The wicked are sinners from birth; from the moment they're born they tell lies.
4 Their madness is according to the likeness of a serpent: like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ears:
They have venom like that of a poisonous snake, and just like a cobra they stop listening,
5 Which will not hear the voice of the charmers; nor of the wizard that charmeth wisely.
refusing to hear the voice of the snake charmers or the spellbinders.
6 God shall break in pieces their teeth in their mouth: the Lord shall break the grinders of the lions.
God, break their teeth, and smash the jaws of these lions, Lord.
7 They shall come to nothing, like water running down; he hath bent his bow till they be weakened.
May they vanish like water that flows away; when they shoot their arrows may they miss their mark.
8 Like wax that melteth they shall be taken away: fire hath fallen on them, and they shall not 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 thorns could know the brier; he swalloweth them up, as alive, in his wrath.
Before the cooking pot is hot from burning thorns, whether fresh or dry, God will blow them away.
10 The just shall rejoice when he shall see the revenge: he shall wash his hands in the blood of the sinner.
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 And man shall say: If indeed there be fruit to the just: there is indeed a God that judgeth them on 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.”
