1 Psalm 58 A Cry against Injustice For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” A 'Miktam' of David. Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones? Or Can you really speak righteousness in silence? Do you judge people fairly?2 No, you practice injustice in your hearts; with your hands you weigh out violence in the land.3 The wicked go astray from the womb; liars wander about from birth.4 They have venom like the venom of a snake, like the deaf cobra that stops up its ears,5 that does not listen to the sound of the charmers who skillfully weave spells.6 God, knock the teeth out of their mouths; Lord , tear out the young lions’ fangs.7 May they vanish like water that flows by; may they aim their blunted arrows. Hb obscure 8 Like a slug that moves along in slime, like a woman’s miscarried child, may they not see the sun.9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns — whether green or burning — he will sweep them away. Or thorns, he will sweep it away, whether raw or cooking 10 The righteous one will rejoice when he sees the retribution; he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.11 Then people will say, “Yes, there is a reward for the righteous! There is a God who judges on earth! ”