Psalms 58

1 “For the leader of the music. To the tune of “Do not destroy.” A psalm of David.” Do ye, indeed, administer justice faithfully, ye mighty ones? Do ye judge with uprightness, ye sons of men?

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David. Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?

2 Nay, in your hearts ye contrive iniquity; Your hands weigh out violence in the land!

No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.

3 The wicked are estranged, from their very birth; The liars go astray as soon as they are born.

The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

4 They have poison, like the poison of a serpent; Like the deaf adder's, which stoppeth her ear;

Their poison is like the poison of a snake, like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,

5 Which listeneth not to the voice of the charmer, And of the sorcerer, skilful in incantations.

which does not listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be.

6 Break their teeth, O God! in their mouths! Break out the great teeth of the lions, O LORD!

Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, LORD.

7 May they melt like waters, which flow away; May their arrows, when they aim them, be as if cut in pieces!

Let them vanish like water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.

8 May they be like the snail, which melteth away as it goeth; Like the abortion of a woman, that seeth not the sun!

Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.

9 Before your pots feel the heat of the thorns, Whether fresh, or burning, may they be blown away!

Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.

10 The righteous shall rejoice, when he seeth such vengeance; He shall bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.

The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,

11 Then shall men say, “Truly there is a reward for the righteous! Truly there is a God who is judge upon the earth!”

so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”