To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David.
1Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?58.1 Al-taschith…: or, Destroy not58.1 Michtam: or, A golden Psalm
2Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.58.3 as soon…: Heb. from the belly
4Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;58.4 like the poison: Heb. according to the likeness, etc58.4 adder: or, asp
5Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.58.5 charming…: or, be the charmer never so cunning
6Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
7Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.58.9 both…: Heb. as living as wrath
10The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.58.11 a reward…: Heb. fruit of the, etc
Psalm 58In Hebrew texts 58:1-11 is numbered 58:2-12.
For the director of music. To the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy’. Of David. A miktam.Title: Probably a literary or musical term
1Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
Do you judge people with equity?
2No, in your heart you devise injustice,
and your hands mete out violence on the earth.
3Even from birth the wicked go astray;
from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
4Their venom is like the venom of a snake,
like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
5that will not heed the tune of the charmer,
however skilful the enchanter may be.
6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!
7Let them vanish like water that flows away;
when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.
8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,
like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.
9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns –
whether they be green or dry – the wicked will be swept away.58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,
when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.
11Then people will say,
‘Surely the righteous still are rewarded;
surely there is a God who judges the earth.’
