Psalms 58

1 For the leader. Al tashheth. Of David. A michtam. Do you speak what is right, you gods? With equity judge you your people?

To the chief Musician. 'Destroy not.' Of David. Michtam. Is righteousness indeed silent? Do ye speak it? Do ye judge with equity, ye sons of men?

2 In the land you practise iniquity – all of you; violence do you dispense with your hands.

Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.

3 The wicked go astray from the womb liars take the wrong path from their birth.

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

4 Venom have they like the venom of snakes, they are like the deaf adder that stops her ears,

Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder which stoppeth her ear;

5 and refuses to listen to the voice of the charmer, or binder of spells, no matter how cunning.

Which doth not hearken to the voice of enchanters, of one charming ever so wisely.

6 O God, break to pieces the teeth in their mouth, tear out the great teeth of the young lions, Lord.

O God, break their teeth in their mouth; break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Jehovah.

7 May they melt away like running water! Like tender grass, cut down may they be!

Let them melt away as waters that flow off; when he aimeth his arrows, let them be as blunted:

8 Like the snail that dissolves on its crawling path, like the birth untimely which sees not the sunlight.

Let them be as a snail that melteth as it passeth away; [like] the untimely birth of a woman, let them not see the sun.

9 Faster than a thorn-fire heats your pots, he will come with his tempest and sweep them away.

Before your pots feel the thorns, green or burning, — they shall be whirled away.

10 The sight of such vengeance will gladden the righteous; their feet they will wash in the blood of the wicked.

The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance; he shall wash his footsteps in the blood of the wicked:

11 People will say, ‘Yes, the just are rewarded: yes, on the earth is a God who is Judge.’

And men shall say, Verily there is fruit for the righteous; verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.