Psalm 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?A

Do you judge people fairly?e

2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

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

3 The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars wander about from birth.g

4 They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,h

5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells.i

6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs.j

7 May they vanish like water that flows by;

may they aim their blunted arrows.B,k

8 Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

may they not see the sun.l

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

whether green or burning—

he will sweep them away.C,m

10 The righteous one will rejoice

when he sees the retribution;n

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

11 Then people will say,

“Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!

There is a God who judges on earth!”p