1 Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones?  *

Do you judge people fairly?  *

2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.  *

3 The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars wander about from birth.  *

4 They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,  *

5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells.  *

6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs.  *

7 May they vanish like water that flows by;

may they aim their blunted arrows.  *,*

8 Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

may they not see the sun.  *

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

whether green or burning —

he will sweep them away.  *,*

10 The righteous one will rejoice

when he sees the retribution;  *

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

11 Then people will say,

"Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!

There is a God who judges on earth! "  *