Psalm 58

A Cry against Injustice

For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” r A Davidic * Miktam.

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

Do you judge * people fairly? t

2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts;

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

3 The wicked go astray from the womb;

liars err from birth. v

4 They have venom like the venom of a snake,

like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears, w

5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers

who skillfully weave spells. x

6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths;

Lord, tear out the young lions’ fangs. y

7 They will vanish like water that flows by;

they will aim their useless arrows. z a b

8 Like a slug that moves along in slime,

like a woman’s miscarried child,

they will not see the sun. c

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

whether green or burning—

He will sweep them away. d e

10 The righteous one will rejoice

when he sees the retribution; f

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

11 Then people will say,

“Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!

There is a God who judges on earth!” h