Psalm 58

New International Reader's Version

For the director of music. A miktam of David to the tune of “Do Not Destroy.”

58 Are you rulers really fair when you speak?
    Do you judge people honestly?
²No, in your hearts you plan to be unfair.
    With your hands you do terrible things on the earth.
³Even from birth those who are evil go down the wrong path.
    From the day they are born they go the wrong way and spread lies.
⁴Their words are like the poison of a snake.
    They are like the poison of a cobra that has covered up its ears.
⁵It won’t listen to a snake charmer’s tune,
    even if the charmer plays very well.

⁶God, break the teeth in the mouths of those sinners!
    Lord, tear out the sharp teeth of those lions!
⁷Let those people disappear like water that flows away.
    When they draw their bows, let their arrows fall short of the target.
⁸Let them be like a slug that melts away as it moves along.
    Let them be like a baby that is born dead and never sees the sun.

⁹Evil people will be swept away before burning thorns can heat a pot.
    And it doesn’t matter if the thorns are green or dry.
¹⁰Godly people will be glad when those who have hurt them are paid back.
    They will dip their feet in the blood of those who do evil.
¹¹Then people will say,
    “The godly will get their reward.
    There really is a God who judges the earth.”