Psalm 58

A Cry against Injustice

For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David.

¹Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones? ^a

Do you judge people fairly? ^b

²No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

with your hands you weigh out violence in the land. ^c

³The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars wander about from birth. ^d

⁴They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears, ^e

⁵that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells. ^f

⁶God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs. ^g

⁷May they vanish like water that flows by;

may they aim their blunted arrows. ^h,ⁱ

⁸Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

may they not see the sun. ^j

⁹Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns —

whether green or burning —

he will sweep them away. ^k,^l

¹⁰The righteous one will rejoice

when he sees the retribution; ^m

he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. ⁿ

¹¹Then people will say,

“Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!

There is a God who judges on earth! ” ^o