58  For the musical director: a song[fn] by David. To be sung to the tune of ‘Don’t destroy’.

1 When you rulers speak, do you actually say what is right?

≈ Do you give justice, you people?

2 No, you plan wicked schemes in your mind.

≈ You use your hands to distribute violence throughout the land.

3 From the womb, the wicked turn from what’s right.

≈ They go astray from birth, speaking lies.

4 Their poison is like snake venom.

≈ They’re like a deaf cobra that blocks its own ears

5 then pays no attention to the snake-charmer’s voice

no matter how skillful they are.

6 Break their teeth in their mouths, God.

≈ Yahweh, break off the fangs of the young lions.

7 Let them melt away like water.

When they shoot their arrows, let them be as though they were cut in half.

8 Let them be like a snail that quietly disappears.

≈ Like a woman’s still-born child that never sees the sunlight.

9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the burning thorn twigs,

he’ll sweep the branches away.

10 The godly people will celebrate when they see God’s vengeance.

≈ They’ll wash their feet in the blood of the wicked

11 so that people will say, “There’s definitely a reward for the righteous person.

Truly there is a god who judges the world.”