Psalms 58

A Cry against Injustice

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

1 Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones?  * 58:1 Or Can you really speak righteousness in silence?

Do you judge people fairly?  * 58:1 Ps 82:2

2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.  * 58:2 Ps 94:20; Is 10:1; Mal 3:15

3 The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars wander about from birth.  * 58:3 Ps 51:5; Is 48:8

4 They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,  * 58:4 Dt 32:33; Ps 140:3

5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells.  * 58:5 Ec 10:11; Jr 8:17

6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs.  * 58:6 Jb 4:10; 29:17; Ps 3:7

7 May they vanish like water that flows by;

may they aim their blunted arrows.  * 58:7 Hb obscure,* 58:7 Jos 7:5; Ps 112:10; Ezk 21:7

8 Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

may they not see the sun.  * 58:8 Jb 3:16; Ec 6:3

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

whether green or burning —

he will sweep them away.  * 58:9 Or thorns, he will sweep it away, whether raw or cooking,* 58:9 Jb 27:21; Pr 10:25; Ec 7:6

10 The righteous one will rejoice

when he sees the retribution;  * 58:10 Jb 22:19

he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.  * 58:10 Ps 68:23; Jr 11:20; 20:12

11 Then people will say,

"Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!

There is a God who judges on earth! "  * 58:11 Ps 9:8; 67:4; 75:7