Psalms 58

Judgment on the Wicked

For the music director, according to Do not Destroy.

Of David. A miktam.*The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one

1 Do you really speak what is right when silent?*A slight emendation of the Hebrew text yields "what is right, O gods," or "O mighty ones"

Do you judge fairly the children of humankind?*Or "Do you judge fairly, O sons of humankind?"

2 No, in your heart you plan injustices;

in the land*Or "on the earth" you weigh out the violence of your hands.

3 The wicked are estranged from the womb.

They go astray from the belly, speaking lies.

4 Their venom is like snake venom;

They are like a deaf viper that closes its ear

5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers

or the skilled caster of spells.

6 O God, break their teeth in their mouth.

Break off the fangs of the young lions, O Yahweh.

7 Let them run away like water that runs off.

When he bends the bow, let his arrows be as though they were cut off.*Or "as though they were withered stalks"

8 Let them be like a snail that melts away as it goes;

like the stillborn of woman that do not see the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the heat of a thornbush,

whether green or dry,*Literally "burning" he will sweep it away.*The Hebrew of this verse is difficult to interpret

10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;

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

11 And people*Hebrew "a person" will say, "Surely there is a reward*Literally "fruit" for the righteous.

Surely there is a God who judges in the land."*Or "on the earth"