Psalm 58 – A Prayer for Vengeance on Unjust Judges

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

58 Do you speak what is right, you gods?

With equity judge you your people?

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

violence do you dispense with your hands.

3 The wicked go astray from the womb

liars take the wrong path from their birth.

4 Venom have they like the venom of snakes,

they are like the deaf adder that stops her ears,

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

or binder of spells, no matter how cunning.

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

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

7 May they melt away like running water!

Like tender grass, cut down may they be!

8 Like the snail that dissolves on its crawling path,

like the birth untimely which sees not the sunlight.

9 Faster than a thorn-fire heats your pots,

he will come with his tempest and sweep them away.

10 The sight of such vengeance will gladden the righteous;

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

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

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