1To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam[1] of David. Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?[2] Do you judge the children of man uprightly? (Ps 16:1; Ps 57:1)2No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth. (Ps 94:20)3The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. (Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8)4They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, (De 32:33; Ps 140:3)5so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. (Jer 8:17)6O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! (Job 4:10; Job 29:17; Ps 3:7)7Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. (Jos 7:5; Ps 64:3; Ps 112:10)8Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. (Job 3:16; Ps 58:7)9Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away![3] (Job 27:21; Ps 118:12; Pr 10:25; Ec 7:6)10The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. (De 32:43; Job 22:19; Ps 68:23)11Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.” (Ge 18:25; Job 19:29; Ps 67:4; Ps 94:2; Ec 12:14; Isa 3:10)
For the director of music. To the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy’. Of David. A miktam.
1Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity?[1]2No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth.3Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.4Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,5that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skilful the enchanter may be.6Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!7Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.8May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along, like a stillborn child that never sees the sun.9Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns – whether they be green or dry – the wicked will be swept away.[2]10The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.11Then people will say, ‘Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.’
For the director of music. A miktam of David to the tune of ‘Do Not Destroy.’
1Are you rulers really fair when you speak? Do you judge people honestly?2No, in your hearts you plan to be unfair. With your hands you do terrible things on the earth.3Even from birth those who are evil go down the wrong path. From the day they are born they go the wrong way and spread lies.4Their words are like the poison of a snake. They are like the poison of a cobra that has covered up its ears.5It won’t listen to a snake charmer’s tune, even if the charmer plays very well.6God, break the teeth in the mouths of those sinners! LORD, tear out the sharp teeth of those lions!7Let those people disappear like water that flows away. When they draw their bows, let their arrows fall short of the target.8Let them be like a slug that melts away as it moves along. Let them be like a baby that is born dead and never sees the sun.9Evil people will be swept away before burning thorns can heat a pot. And it doesn’t matter if the thorns are green or dry.10Godly people will be glad when those who have hurt them are paid back. They will dip their feet in the blood of those who do evil.11Then people will say, ‘The godly will get their reward. There really is a God who judges the earth.’