(A special psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy”.Psalm 58 Don't Destroy: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.)

A prayer when all goes wrong

1Do you mighty people58.1 mighty people: Or “mighty rulers” or “mighty gods”. talk

only to oppose justice?58.1 Do…justice: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

Don't you ever judge fairly?

2You are always planning evil,

and you are brutal.

3You have done wrong and lied

from the day you were born.

4Your words spread poison

like the bite of a cobra

5that refuses to listen

to the snake charmer.

6My enemies are fierce

as lions, LORD God!

Shatter their teeth.

Snatch out their fangs.

7Make them disappear

like leaking water,

and make their arrows miss.

8Let them dry up like snails

or be like a child that dies

before seeing the sun.

9Wipe them out quicker

than a pot can be heated

by setting thorns on fire.58.9 Wipe…fire: See the note at Psalm 57.

10Good people will be glad

when they see the wicked

getting what they deserve,

and they will wash their feet

in their enemies' blood.

11Everyone will say, “It's true!

Good people are rewarded.

God does rule the earth

with justice.”