Psalm 58

Psalm 58

A CRY AGAINST INJUSTICE

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

¹Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones?^C

Do you judge people fairly?^e

²No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

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

³The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars wander about from birth.^g

⁴They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,^h

⁵that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells.ⁱ

⁶God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs.^j

⁷May they vanish like water that flows by;

may they aim their blunted arrows.^Ak

⁸Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

may they not see the sun.^l

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

whether green or burning—

he will sweep them away.^Bm

¹⁰The righteous one will rejoice

when he sees the retribution;ⁿ

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

¹¹Then people will say,

“Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!

There is a God who judges on earth!”^p