Psalm 58

Psalm 58 – A Prayer for Vengeance on Unjust Judges

For the leader. Al tashheth. Of David. A michtam.

1Do you speak what is right, you gods?

With equity judge you your people?

2In the land you practise iniquity – all of you;

violence do you dispense with your hands.

3The wicked go astray from the womb

liars take the wrong path from their birth.

4Venom have they like the venom of snakes,

they are like the deaf adder that stops her ears,

5and refuses to listen to the voice of the charmer,

or binder of spells, no matter how cunning.

6O God, break to pieces the teeth in their mouth,

tear out the great teeth of the young lions, Lord.

7May they melt away like running water!

Like tender grass, cut down may they be!

8Like the snail that dissolves on its crawling path,

like the birth untimely which sees not the sunlight.

9Faster than a thorn-fire heats your pots,

he will come with his tempest and sweep them away.

10The sight of such vengeance will gladden the righteous;

their feet they will wash in the blood of the wicked.

11People will say, “Yes, the just are rewarded:

yes, on the earth is a God who is Judge.”