God Judges the Earth

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam [fn] of David.

58 Do you indeed speak justly, O rulers?

Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?

2 No, in your hearts you devise injustice;

with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.

3 The wicked are estranged from the womb;

the liars go astray from birth.

4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake,

like a cobra that shuts its ears,

5 refusing to hear the tune of the charmer

who skillfully weaves his spell.

6 O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths;

O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.

7 May they vanish

like water that runs off;

when they draw the bow,

may their arrows be blunted.[fn]

8 Like a slug that dissolves in its slime,

like a woman’s stillborn child,

may they never see the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns—

whether green or dry—

He will sweep them away.

10 The righteous will rejoice

when they see they are avenged;

they will wash their feet

in the blood of the wicked.

11 Then men will say,

“There is surely a reward for the righteous!

There is surely a God who judges the earth!”