Psalms 58

There is a God who judges the earth

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers? Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men? ²No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth. ³The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth.a

⁴Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears, ⁵refusing to hear the tune of the charmer who skillfully weaves his spell. ⁶O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.

⁷May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted. ⁸Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun. ⁹Before your pots can feel the burning thorns— whether green or dry— He will sweep them away.

¹⁰The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. ¹¹Then men will say, “There is surely a reward for the righteous! There is surely a God who judges the earth!”b