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?

“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?

2 No, for in your minds you plan evil. You cause violence everywhere!

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

3 The wicked are sinners from birth; from the moment they're born they tell lies.

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

4 They have venom like that of a poisonous snake, and just like a cobra they stop listening,

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

5 refusing to hear the voice of the snake charmers or the spellbinders.

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

6 God, break their teeth, and smash the jaws of these lions, Lord.

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

7 May they vanish like water that flows away; when they shoot their arrows may they miss their mark.

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

8 May they be like the slime of snails that dissolves away, like a stillborn child that never saw the light of day.

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

9 Before the cooking pot is hot from burning thorns, whether fresh or dry, God will blow them away.

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

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

11 They will say, “There is definitely a reward for those who live right; there is certainly a God who judges fairly on earth.”

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