Psalm 58
For the director of music. A miktam of David to the tune of “Do Not Destroy.”
1Are you rulers really fair when you speak?
Do you judge people honestly?
2No, in your hearts you plan to be unfair.
With your hands you do terrible things on the earth.
3Even from birth those who are evil go down the wrong path.
From the day they are born they go the wrong way and spread lies.
4Their words are like the poison of a snake.
They are like the poison of a cobra that has covered up its ears.
5It won’t listen to a snake charmer’s tune,
even if the charmer plays very well.
6God, break the teeth in the mouths of those sinners!
Lord, tear out the sharp teeth of those lions!
7Let those people disappear like water that flows away.
When they draw their bows, let their arrows fall short of the target.
8Let them be like a slug that melts away as it moves along.
Let them be like a baby that is born dead and never sees the sun.
9Evil people will be swept away before burning thorns can heat a pot.
And it doesn’t matter if the thorns are green or dry.
10Godly people will be glad when those who have hurt them are paid back.
They will dip their feet in the blood of those who do evil.
11Then people will say,
“The godly will get their reward.
There really is a God who judges the earth.”
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 skillful 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.”
