Psalms 58
1 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?
To the chief music-maker; put to Al-tashheth. Michtam. Of David. Is there righteousness in your mouths, O you gods? are you upright judges, O you sons of men?
2 No, for in your minds you plan evil. You cause violence everywhere!
The purposes of your hearts are evil; your hands are full of cruel doings on the earth.
3 The wicked are sinners from birth; from the moment they're born they tell lies.
The evil-doers are strange from the first; from the hour of their birth they go out of the true way, saying false words.
4 They have venom like that of a poisonous snake, and just like a cobra they stop listening,
Their poison is like the poison of a snake; they are like the adder, whose ears are shut;
5 refusing to hear the voice of the snake charmers or the spellbinders.
Who will not be moved by the voice of the wonder-worker, however great are his powers.
6 God, break their teeth, and smash the jaws of these lions, Lord.
O God, let their teeth be broken in their mouths; let the great teeth of the young lions be pulled out, O Lord.
7 May they vanish like water that flows away; when they shoot their arrows may they miss their mark.
Let them be turned to liquid like the ever-flowing waters; let them be cut off like the grass by the way.
8 May they be like the slime of snails that dissolves away, like a stillborn child that never saw the light of day.
Let them be like an after-birth which is turned to water and comes to an end; like the fruit of a woman who gives birth before her time, let them not see the sun.
9 Before the cooking pot is hot from burning thorns, whether fresh or dry, God will blow them away.
Before they are conscious of it, let them be cut down like thorns; let a strong wind take them away like waste growth.
10 Those who live right will be happy when they see there is punishment; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.
The upright man will be glad when he sees their punishment; his feet will be washed in the blood of the evil-doer.
11 They will say, “There is definitely a reward for those who live right; there is certainly a God who judges fairly on earth.”
So that men will say, Truly there is a reward for righteousness; truly there is a God who is judge on the earth.
