Psalm 58*The Dethroning of Unjust Rulers1For the leader. Do not destroy.* A miktam of David. I 2Do you indeed pronounce justice, O gods;* do you judge fairly you children of Adam?a 3No, you freely engage in crime; your hands dispense violence to the earth. II 4The wicked have been corrupt since birth; liars from the womb, they have gone astray. 5*Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a serpent stopping its ears,b 6So as not to hear the voice of the charmer or the enchanter with cunning spells. III 7O God, smash the teeth in their mouths; break the fangs of these lions, Lord!c 8Make them vanish like water flowing away;d trodden down, let them wither like grass.e 9Let them dissolve like a snail that oozes away,* like an untimely birth that never sees the sun.f 10Suddenly, like brambles or thistles, have the whirlwind snatch them away.g 11Then the just shall rejoice to see the vengeance and bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.h 12Then people will say: “Truly there is a reward for the just; there is a God who is judge on earth!” Book IntroductionFootnotesScripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Home |